NEW JERSEY – Nearly a dozen bars and restaurants have been charged with violating New Jersey’s latest COVID-19 restrictions related to indoor food service. Now the owners face charges from the state Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has filed charges against 10 bars and restaurants for allegedly violating some of Gov. Phil Murphy’s most recent restrictions that were enacted last month to limit the spread of the virus indoors. The State determined that the establishments violated the orders that suspend food services inside between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., limit the capacity inside to 25 percent, suspend the seats in the bars of the bars and they ask to enforce the use of masks and physical distancing inside.
“We will not tolerate foolish behavior and we will not hesitate to go out of business,” Murphy said Friday.
The charges seek to suspend liquor licenses for each of the 10 businesses; the shortest suspension being sought is 10 days, the longest is 115. Grewal said more fees will be charged.
“The results of our compliance raids so far demonstrate that the majority of licensees are following the governor’s orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Grewal said in a press release Friday. “Those who disobey curfews, seating restrictions, coverage mandates and other mitigation measures will face consequences.”
Of about 500 inspections conducted in the last month, Grewal says that nearly 90 percent of establishments have complied with the latest COVID-19 restrictions given by Governor Murphy.
The following bars and restaurants were identified by Grewal’s office on Friday for allegedly violating state orders:
- Eddy’s Bar & Liquors in Bayonne: Cited for allowing customers to sit at the bar and for not enforcing face covering requirements. Requested penalty: suspension of 15 days.
- Wicked Wolf in Hoboken: Cited for allowing customers to sit at the bar.
Requested penalty: 10 day suspension. - Reilly’s Bar & Grill in Kearny: Cited for violating the rules to close the food service inside at 10:00 pm
Requested penalty: 30-day suspension. - Graystone Inn in Little Falls: Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar and exceeding occupancy limits on two separate occasions. Requested penalty: 40-day suspension.
- George Street Ale House in New Brunswick: Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar and failing to enforce physical distancing and facial coverage requirements.
Requested penalty: 25-day suspension. - Black Betty’s Saloon in Sayreville: Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar and failing to enforce physical distancing and facial coverage requirements. Also cited for allowing lewd activities on the premises.
Requested penalty: 70-day suspension. - 30 Strikes in Stratford: Cited for violating the rules to close the food service inside at 10:00 pm
Requested penalty: 10 day suspension. - Jalapenos Bar and Grill in Gloucester City: Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar and failing to enforce face covering requirements (second offense).
Requested penalty: 20-day suspension. - 814 South Pub & Kitchen in Somerdale: Cited for violating the 10:00 pm indoor food service closing rules, failing to maintain six feet between tables, and failing to enforce face covering requirements.
Requested penalty: 25-day suspension. - B&B Saloon in Atlantic City: Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, exceeding occupancy limits, and failing to enforce physical distancing and facial coverage requirements. He was also cited for allowing alcohol to be consumed beyond authorized facilities, obstructing an inspection, employing a criminally disqualified person and violating license conditions after a shooting left two people dead last month.
Requested penalty: 115-day suspension.
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