Director At Livingston Event Venue: NJ's COVID Rules 'Too Broad'

LIVINGSTON, NJ — If you ask Max Janoff about New Jersey’s latest coronavirus restrictions for businesses, he’ll tell you that his opinion is pretty simple: Gov. Phil Murphy is painting with brush strokes that are way too big.

Janoff, the director of sales at Crystal Plaza in Livingston, said that there’s a lot that “doesn’t make sense” about Murphy’s new COVID-19 restrictions for bars and restaurants.

“My thoughts on this topic are pretty simple – and many venues I have spoken with agree,” Janoff told Patch earlier this week. “This seems like a pretty standard case of too broad of a classification.”

Last week, amid a rise in cases of the virus across the state, Murphy announced that restaurants and bars will have to stop all indoor service by 10 p.m. and nix seating at the bar. Outdoor dining, takeout and delivery services can continue beyond 10 p.m., and enclosed, heated tents can be put up outside.

The new rules began Nov. 12.

• See related article: Livingston Bars, Restaurants Face New COVID Rules From NJ – Again

While towns must abide by the state’s 10 p.m. curfew, they’re free to roll out stricter curfews than the state, and have permission to order nonessential businesses to close after 8 p.m.
The shorter curfew hours aren't mandatory, and towns are free to stick with the 10 p.m. closing time.

• See related article: NJ Towns Can Add COVID-19 Restrictions On Businesses

Crystal Plaza, a family-owned catering and event production venue in Livingston, is one of many small businesses with a big stake in New Jersey’s COVID response.

Recently, the 103-year-old company rolled the dice and did a huge, “over-the-top” renovation at their space at 305 West Northfield Road.

• See related article: Crystal Plaza In Livingston Planning 'Over-The-Top' Renovation

It may be a little while before the venue can fully stretch its new wings if New Jersey’s COVID regulations continue, however. And Janoff says that he can sympathize with the decision – to a degree.

“When it comes to standard dining and night life, I can somewhat understand this new rule, as people are being cycled through the establishments,” Janoff said.

But the fundamental difference is that with private events it is the same group of people for the time frame allocated, he argued.

“If all proper protocols are met and guidelines are followed, it shouldn’t matter the time that the event is hosted,” Janoff charged. “I believe the easiest solution for the governor’s office was to group us in this restaurant/bar category but if you really look at it, it doesn’t make sense for private events.”

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