Motor vehicle offices to reopen this month

TRENTON » New Jersey’s motor vehicle offices will open on June 15, and road testing and the issuance of new licenses can resume from the COVID-19 pause on June 29, Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday.

It’s the latest sector of the state’s economy to move toward reopening, following announcements on nonessential retail, salons, barbershops and outdoor dining, which will also resume June 15.

Murphy also signed an extension of the state’s public health emergency order, which will remain in place for another month. Such orders expire automatically after 30 days.

The renewed order means only that the state will continue to carry authority to act if the outbreak worsens again, Murphy said, but it does not mean that the state will now halt reopening.

A look at other developments.

THE NEW FIGURES

New Jersey reported 79 new deaths overnight, putting the death toll at 12,049. There were nearly 900 new positive cases, putting the total figure at 163,000. New Jersey is behind only New York as the state with the most positive cases, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are at higher risk of more severe illness or death.

OCEAN COUNTY MAYORS: OPEN NOW

Mayors of 20 of Ocean County’s 33 municipalities sent a letter Friday to

Murphy calling on him to “open our economy now,” complaining that the Democratic governor is not moving fast enough.

The group, which includes mayors from both parties, said, “The time to lift or relax restrictions on all commerce is now.”

The mayors wrote that businesses and individuals have learned to adjust to the pandemic and should be trusted to act responsibly.

“It is in everyone’s best interest to allow those that want to work and spend to be free to do so. The shore and the state of New Jersey can ill afford to lose an entire summer season. We realize your restrictions are being lessened in phases, but that is not quick enough. These actions need to happen immediately, or the chance of reopening will no longer exist for many of our businesses.”

An email seeking a response was sent to Murphy’s office.

CASINO SANITIZATION

An Atlantic City casino says it is making “a significant capital investment” in cleaning and sanitization before reopening during the virus outbreak.

Resorts Casino on Friday unveiled its “Play Safe, Work Safe” plan that includes installation of an air purification system that purifies and disinfects the air flowing into a space, reducing the spread of airborne viruses and bacteria.

It also will use ultraviolet light to sanitize hotel rooms, restrooms and escalators. Social distancing and other precautions will also be part of the reopening plans. New Jersey has yet to set a reopening date for Atlantic City’s nine casinos.