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New Jersey Unveils Plan Allowing Child Care Services, Non-Contact Sports, Youth Camps To Resume In Coming Weeks

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- Gov. Phil Murphy unveiled more of a path for New Jersey to reopen. On Friday, he announced dates for which child care services, non-contact organized sports practices and youth camps can resume.

This announcement comes as the number of coronavirus cases climbed above 158,000. Murphy reported 1,117 new coronavirus cases Friday, bringing the statewide total to 158,844. There were another 131 COVID-19-related deaths as the death toll now stands at 11,531.

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Home plate may be empty, but in a few short weeks, things will look a lot different in New Jersey. Summer is around the bend and parents can now breathe a sigh of relief as they decide what to do with their children over the next couple of months.

Murphy says that child-care centers will be allowed to reopen to all clients on Monday, June 15. Outdoor on-contact organized sports activities are allowed to resume Monday, June 22, and youth camps will be allowed to reopen on Monday, July 6.

"We want our children to be able to enjoy their summers, participating in activities that create lifelong memories," Murphy said.

The Department of Children and Families will provide guidance for sanitizing and social distancing measures at child care centers. To help with the costs that come with the new health and safety standards, up to $20 million in funding has been approved.

"New Jersey's child care programs are among the best in the nation, held to some of the most stringent standards of care," Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer said. "A lot is being asked of them right now but we really couldn't ask for a better community to meet these challenges head-on."

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Once back in session, children that have the capacity to wear masks while at day care are urged to do so. State health officials indicate it is not safe for children under 2 years old to wear one.

Summer is looking much brighter for the youngest residents of the Garden State after Murphy announced summer camps can reopen.

"I'm happy that we're having it. I can't imagine summer without summer camp," XL Sports World general manager Lynne Prairie said. "We do know we need to keep it smaller. We're just waiting for Gov. Murphy to tell us what the guidelines are, and then we'll look at that and obviously follow that."

Prairie is the camp administrator for XL Sports Camp in Mount Laurel and Cherry Hill. She says the health of participants and her staff is the main priority for this year's summer camp.

"All our staff will be health-checked before they come in. They're all going to have to wear a mask. Temperature checks, we're going to use a wand that we have that kills viruses," Prairie said.

xl sports world summer camp
Credit: CBS3

The check-in process has also changed. Children will be checked in one at a time as parents social distance. Field trips have also been canceled.

"We're going to have to change all the ways we do our games because you can't do anything contact. And you've got kids who have been cooped up since March," Prairie said.

Some parents have canceled their children's registration this year but others still have plans to send their kids to camp.

"I'm not going to lie that I'm not a little nervous, of course I am. But I'm going to do everything in my power to keep the kids safe," Prairie said.

Prairie says XL Sports Camp will reopen on July 6. She asks parents to sign up quickly because they're not allowing as many children to participate this year.

On Friday, Murphy also announced that horse racing will resume in the Garden State next weekend, but no fans will be allowed in the stands.

Murphy says, that based on the way the coronavirus numbers are trending in New Jersey, he anticipates that he will soon be able to raise the limits on indoor gatherings.

"I anticipate being able to raise the limits on indoor gatherings in a way that will allow for greater indoor religious services for the weekend of June 12," Murphy said.

CBS3's Alecia Reid and Kimberly Davis contributed to this report.

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