While life events go on even during a pandemic, we’ve had to get creative in celebrating our loved ones from a distance. In the last two weeks, I’ve been to a drive-by bridal shower; a makeshift, open-air Mother’s Day brunch; and a Zoom housewarming “party.” I was unable to attend a drive-by birthday party.

While we make banners, hang balloons on our cars and get crafty, some states now regulate drive-by celebrations, as many participants tend to gather outside of their cars at an unsafe distance and without masks.

Some New Jersey towns are putting pressure on drive-by partygoers, considering it falls under “unnecessary travel,” which the state is still enforcing. Authorities ask those participating to stay in their cars, wear a mask if ever outside their vehicle and abide by social distancing practices.

Drive-by celebrations are deemed permissible in New Jersey but are essentially on watch until stay-at-home orders begin to lift, which is still TBD.

— Angelique Platas, associate editor