Despite a few bars violating social distancing rules and hosting rowdy crowds, towns across the state enjoyed a relatively quiet weekend with few incidents, according to officials from a dozen municipalities.
In Belmar, the mayor said he read D’Jais Bar and Grill “the riot act,” after seeing viral videos of packed tents filled with patrons dancing and drinking mask-free. (Management has promised stricter social distancing guidelines). Similarly, Morristown revoked the outdoor dining license of Tashmoo Bar & Restaurant due to overcrowding.
Gov. Phil Murphy Monday threatened to “tighten up” on bars and restaurants after viewing viral videos of the two establishments. He warned that the state would not “look the other way on this.” But, business owners across the state say the vast majority of establishments have been following the rules.
“You address the ones that aren’t doing it right, but you don’t throw the hammer back down on a whole industry,” said Marilou Halvorsen, President of the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association, who argued that Murphy’s warning was unfair to the rest of the industry.
“You don’t kill an entire industry because of a couple people, a couple businesses.”
Mayors and police chiefs across New Jersey mostly reported a smooth weekend without incident.
“In general, people have been doing a really great job and the business community really wants to make this work,” said Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert. “I haven’t seen any flagrant violations.”
Even with a college-age population, a group public health experts warn could interfere with mitigation efforts, the Princeton Police Department received no complaints of violations this past weekend, the city said.
Officials from Newark, Stone Harbor, Long Branch, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, Cape May and Sea Isle City shared similar sentiments.
“Things are going well in Sea Isle City,” said Katherine Custer, Director of Community Services. “People are being courteous and showing respect for others by social distancing and wearing masks.”
In Cape May, where drinking laws have been loosened to allow patrons to take drinks to go, visitors are still adhering to the rules at bars and restaurants, says Mayor Clarence Lear.
Pedestrians are permitted to drink along the boardwalk, beach and promenade from 5-10 p.m., joining cities like North Wildwood, Wildwood and Atlantic City.
“Some of the naysayers said it was going to become a tailgate party,” said Lear. “It’s been a couple of weeks now and we have not seen the horror stories that people were predicting.”
In Sea Bright, the town chided one bar for hosting too many patrons this weekend, but Mayor Brian Kelly said that the complaint was informal and local officials reached out to bar staff to remind them of the rules forbidding patrons from clustering together too closely.
“Everyone else seemed to be doing a pretty good job in town,” said Kelly. “We know (the bar has) a different situation, probably a little tougher to manage.”
Other complaints in the area have mostly dealt with mask-wearing in public, as officials try to compel residents and visitors to cover their faces while they are entering stores or strolling the boardwalk.
The mayors of Asbury Park and Red Bank, two of the state’s most popular downtowns boasting colorful storefronts and eclectic dining options, want visitors to continue to take social distancing seriously.
“There seems to be a trend, even in this state recently, to feel that the crisis and the pandemic has somehow magically taken a sabbatical,” said Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna, who was treated for COVID-19 in March. “It has not.”
Still, neither town reported any complaints against bars or restaurants.
With indoor dining scheduled to begin on July 2, municipal officials are hopeful that bars and restaurants will keep adhering to the governor’s rules and that the resurgence of summer tourism will bring a boon after months of shutdown.
“We’re just happy that our summer is starting, because we had reservations about what kind of summer we were going to have. … Our town was busy this weekend, our businesses are thankful to be open and our restaurants are thankful for the outdoor dining,” said Stone Harbor Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour.
“So far so good. We’re going to remain vigilant, but however, start to enjoy the summer, as well.”
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Josh Axelrod may be reached at jaxelrod@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
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A few crowded bars angered Murphy, but most N.J. restaurants are following the rules, towns say - nj.com
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