15 NJ Bars, Restaurants Broke COVID Rules In 1 Month: Officials

NEW JERSEY — A number of restaurants and bars continued to violate Gov. Phil Murphy's COVID executive orders this past month, his office announced. Still, there was a significant decrease in the number of businesses that violated Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order to stop the spread of the coronavirus from February to March (see list below).

There were 15 businesses cited for executive order violations from March 10 through April 5, compared to 33 from the month before. None of these businesses were shut down, or cited for multiple violations, according to information provided by Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the State Police.

In February, Murphy increased indoor dining capacity limits from 25 percent to 35 percent. On Feb. 25, he said another expansion could be coming sooner than later, and that capacity limits could soon hit 50 percent.

In general, restrictions surrounding quarantining and travel have been loosened within the past week as more New Jersey residents become vaccinated. Read more here: What You Can Do Amid COVID In NJ - And What's Next With Vaccines

Generally, businesses that are in violation three times face the possibility of sanctions, but that scenario didn’t play out at any point over the last month.

Still, these businesses could have their licenses revoked if they continue to fail to comply. Businesses are typically found to be in violation for not enforcing the use of face coverings and maintaining six feet of social distancing, as well as violating the indoor capacity limits.

And violations do continue, though, including at places such as the XL Nightlife club in Elizabeth, which was cited on March 24 for a large disorderly crowd and an executive order violation.

Another large, unmasked crowd was reported at TAC Zone Gym in Kenilworth in Union County on March 29.

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal has emphasized that the state will continue to target establishments that break the law and do little to prevent the virus from spreading – even as the number of vaccinations continues to grow and New Jersey's COVID-19 cases continue to be reported and possibly drop.

"We will not allow a small percentage of bars and restaurants that disregard mitigation measures to jeopardize public health," Grewal has said.

The following restaurants were also recently cited for compliance issues by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control:

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

• The Tower Tavern in Westville

HUDSON COUNTY

• Buttaro's Mediterranean Restaurant in Bayonne
• 990 Bar and Lounge in Bayonne
• The Black Bear Bar and Grill in Hoboken
• A Street Tavern in Hoboken
• The Wilton House in Hoboken

MERCER COUNTY

• Logira Bar in Trenton
• Cooper's Riverview in Trenton
• Ivy Tavern Bar Restaurant in Hamilton

OCEAN COUNTY

• Battle River Brewing in Tom's River
• Eby's in Berkeley Township
• Beachcomer Bar in Seaside Heights
• Hemmingway's Cafe in Seaside Heights