Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 196 on November 16, 2020 lowering limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings. 

The number of individuals at indoor gatherings that are not religious services or celebrations, political activities, wedding ceremonies, funerals, or memorial services shall be limited to 10 persons. The number of individuals at indoor gatherings that are religious services or celebrations, political activities, wedding ceremonies, funerals, or memorial services shall be limited to 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, but regardless of the capacity of the room, such limit shall never be larger than 150 persons or smaller than 10 persons. Under the order, any private residence or residential unit shall be treated as a single “room”. Legislative proceedings of state, county, or local government, including local Boards of Education, and state and local judicial proceedings are not subject to the capacity limits on gatherings in this or any other applicable Executive Order.

Professional and collegiate athletic competitions that are conducted indoors are subject to the current indoor gathering limit of 10 persons, not including athletes, coaches, referees, and trainers, and other individuals who are necessary for the competitive professional or collegiate sporting events. The number of individuals present inside facilities where indoor professional or collegiate athletic competitions are taking place may not exceed 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, and such limit may not exceed 150 persons.

All other athletic practices and competitions that are conducted indoors are subject to the current indoor gathering limit of 10 persons. However, if the number of individuals who are necessary for a no-contact practice, contact practice, or competition, such as players, coaches, and referees, is greater than 10 persons, such a practice or competition may proceed, as long as no individuals are present who are not necessary for the practice or competition, such as spectators. If this exception applies, the number of individuals at such an indoor gathering still may not exceed 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, and such limit may not exceed 150 persons.

The number of individuals at outdoor gatherings shall be limited to 150 persons or fewer. An outdoor gathering that is a religious service or celebration, political activity, wedding ceremony, funeral, or memorial service is not required to comply with the numerical limit on persons.

Outdoor entertainment centers where performances are viewed or given, including movie theaters, performing arts centers, and other concert venues, must limit the number of patrons in any outdoor area where a performance is viewed or given to a number that ensures that all individuals can remain six feet apart, but such limit shall never be larger than 150 persons.

Professional and collegiate athletic competitions that are conducted outdoors are subject to the outdoor gathering limit of 150 persons not including athletes, coaches, referees, and trainers, and other individuals who are necessary for the competitive professional or collegiate sporting events.

All other sports practices and competitions that are conducted outdoors are subject to the outdoor gathering limit of 150 persons, inclusive of athletes, coaches, referees, and trainers.

For details, please read EO-196.