By Andy Loigu and Inside Warren Staff

With the virus starting to spread again, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said on Wednesday that all indoor youth, high school, and adult recreational sports activities will be suspended in New Jersey, for at least four weeks, starting this Saturday.

That means local winter sports won’t get started on an organized level until at least January.

The ruling does not affect indoor collegiate or professional sports, so you can still watch Rutgers or Seton Hall basketball and Rangers or Devils ice hockey on your television set from the comfort of your couch.

The governor explained that he took these actions to minimize the overwhelming demands on hospitals and caregivers.

Updated 12/21/20: The Colonial States Athletic Conference announced that “formal” conference competition will be suspended for the remainder of the sports season, affecting Centenary University athletics. Previously, official competition was suspended only through Jan. 31. Centenary is allowed to establish its own protocols related to training and competition outside of official conference play, as long as it follow all available health guidelines, according to a news release from the college. A decision on spring sports may be made as early as the conference’s January meeting.