Belleville Farmers Market Gets Ticketed In Coronavirus

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville officials issued a summons to the operator of a local farmers market on Friday afternoon after its customers allegedly failed to “social distance” from each other, authorities said.

The Belleville Emergency Management (OEM) issued a summons to the Garden Farm Market at 345 Franklin Avenue for violating Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order to observe social distancing during a state of emergency, township officials said.

Murphy declared a state of emergency on March 9 for the whole state, and Belleville declared a local state of emergency on March 17.

• See related article: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• See related article: Belleville Declares State Of Emergency In Coronavirus

Police Chief Mark Minichini said officers have been receiving complaints that customers inside the market – which sells fresh fruit and vegetables – weren’t keeping the mandatory 6-foot separation from other shoppers.

OEM officials gave the operator of the market a warning about the social distancing requirement, but it didn’t stick, authorities alleged.

“We got a second complaint, went there and found they were not following the guidelines,” Minichini said. “So, OEM Coordinator Martin Lutz issued a summons with the assistance of the Belleville Police Department.”

“By issuing the summons, it shows we mean business,” Minichini said. “We’re going along with the governor’s order. This is no joke. We want to keep people healthy. We want them to be able to get their essential goods, like food. However, we need to do it in a safe manner.”

“We mean business,” Minichini said. “If the stores aren’t going to comply, they will be issued a summons. If we have to come back for additional violations, we will shut them down.”

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