As he faces rising strain from lawmakers and enterprise leaders to additional raise his near-lockdown restrictions to combat the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Phil Murphy says he’s contemplating permitting extra New Jersey companies to reopen with curbside service or different social-distancing pointers.

“We’re taking a look at that,” Murphy stated Wednesday throughout his each day coronavirus press briefing in Trenton. “That’s one thing we wish to get to.”

“However you have a look at the progress we’re making, that’s as a result of persons are staying residence,” the governor added. “They’re not going out. And that’s the type of nonetheless guideline right here.”

“We do know social distancing might be the perfect weapon we’ve received,” the governor continued. “If we are able to try this responsibly, you possibly can assume that’s on the checklist of issues we wish to do. … Keep tuned.”

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

Officers introduced Wednesday that New Jersey, a state of 9 million residents, has now seen at least 131,890 COVID-19 cases and eight,549 deaths attributed to the virus in two months. Solely New York has extra amongst American states.

Whereas officers say the variety of each day circumstances and hospitalizations are dropping in New Jersey, the state reported another 1,513 positive tests and 308 deaths Wednesday.

However with Memorial Day lower than three weeks away, a debate has been getting louder over Murphy’s orders requiring residents to stay home, banning gatherings, and mandating nonessential companies near combat the virus. New Jersey is now in its seventh week below the orders.

That’s because the state grapples with hundreds of thousands of people filing for unemployment and companies undergo untold income losses.

Murphy made his first main step to lifting the orders this previous weekend, as he allowed state and county parks and golf courses to reopen, with restrictions.

Nonetheless, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney stated Monday the governor ought to transfer “ahead with the financial system” by allowing different companies to reopen by Memorial Day, so long as they comply with social-distancing pointers — like eateries and important shops allowed to stay open.

Murphy provided no definitive timetable Tuesday and burdened Wednesday that officers need to watch out as a result of a whole lot of residents are nonetheless dying every single day and greater than 5,000 residents are nonetheless hospitalized with the virus.

Murphy stated started taking “child steps” with the parks reopening, and that has “gone nicely.” However he stated there are “huge unknowns related to this.”

NJ Advance Media reported earlier Wednesday that public health experts say New Jersey can’t rush reopening as a result of there’s a danger of a second, stronger wave.

Our journalism wants your help. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Brent Johnson could also be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.