Berkeley Mayor: New Capacity Limits Move In ‘Right Direction’

BERKELEY, NJ — Restaurants, gyms and salons across Berkeley Township have made preparations to comply with the loosened capacity restrictions that went into effect Friday.

Indoor capacity limits increased from 35 to 50 percent, excluding employees. Seating is still not allowed in bars, Gov. Phil Murphy has said. Read more: NJ Lifts More COVID-19 Restrictions: What You Can, Can't Do

Mayor Carmen Amato told Patch how the increased capacity limit will impact businesses in Berkeley.

“We are progressing in the right direction. Our local businesses are struggling, especially our restaurants,” Amato said.

C & G Country Café said business has taken a hit due to current capacity restrictions.

"The increase to 50 percent capacity is definitely a step in the right direction," said employee Carlton Kramer.

Kramer said many customers have supported the restaurant by ordering take out, but the cost of single-serve containers and condiments has risen throughout the pandemic.

The restaurant is preparing to offer outdoor dining when the weather warms up to add extra seating.

"We are happy to be serving our community and look forward to getting back to our usual business," he said.

The capacity limitations have also severely impacted personal care businesses, such as barber shops and hair salons. Though restaurants could offer take out as an alternative to indoor dining, salons rely on their indoor space for business.

In a recent interview, the owner of Hair Fantasy told Patch that capacity restrictions have cut the number of appointments they could accommodate in half.

Murphy told CBS3 last weekend that he believes New Jersey can return to some semblance of normality by Memorial Day weekend as more COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

“Spring cannot come fast enough so restaurants can resume outdoor dining with the hopes we will be open at 100 percent by July,” Amato said.

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