Restaurants In Livingston Can Reopen Outdoors; Zoning 'Relaxed'

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy says that New Jersey’s restaurants can start to reopen from the coronavirus shutdown and serve customers outdoors on June 15. So what will the grand reopening look like in Livingston?

Since mid-March, Murphy has ordered that restaurants offer takeout and delivery only. But as part of the state’s three-phase plan to reopen, restaurants will be allowed to serve a limited number of dine-in customers at 6 a.m. on Monday – as long as they sit outdoors.

Customers will still be banned from eating inside the restaurant, and must wear face masks if they go inside to use the bathroom or pick up a takeout order. Patrons with “medical reasons” or children under two don’t have to wear masks.

There are a few other rules, according to the governor’s office. Some include:

• Tables must be located 6 feet from each other
• Only eight customers are allowed at each table
• Employees must wear face masks and pass daily health checks
• No self-service options such as buffets, salad bars or drink stations are allowed
• All tables, chairs and menus must be disinfected after each use
• Signs must be posted at the entrance that say nobody with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 should enter

Each city or town can decide for itself how to let restaurants and bars safely open outdoors, whether it’s on a sidewalk, in a street or at a park.

Restaurants with liquor licenses can apply for temporary permission to set up outdoor drinking areas with the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). It’s the responsibility of the licensee to comply with local ordinances and site plan requirements.

• Read the full text of executive order 150
• Read the New Jersey Department of Health guidelines for outdoor dining

REOPENING RESTAURANTS IN LIVINGSTON

Last month, Livingston Township published information on "COVID-19 Reopening Policies for Restaurants" on its website.

"Over a month ago, anticipating that the governor would soon begin easing the restrictions on nonessential businesses, the town council, town manager and the Livingston Business Improvement District began formulating a plan so that businesses could open as soon as they were allowed," Livingston Mayor Rudy Fernandez said Monday.

"Zoning rules were relaxed to allow such things as expanded outdoor dining for restaurants, allowing increased signage for all businesses, allowing sidewalk sales and other outdoor shopping opportunities for our retailers as well allowing outdoor fitness classes," Fernandez said. "Further, our application process has been simplified, and zoning fees have been waived."

The town council is "very concerned," and has been monitoring the economic impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on local businesses, Fernendez said.

"Through the town budget, the town council funded a COVID-19 business assistance program for local businesses," Fernendez said. "This includes grants, a gift card matching program to generate immediate cash flow as well as other township funded COVID-19 relief programs administered through the Livingston Business Improvement District. The township also had produced a short video to promote local businesses and to encourage our residents to dine and shop locally."

The township’s health department has also been in communication with local restaurant management to stress that establishments must follow requirements in the National Restaurant Association’s COVID-19 Reopening Guidance document.

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