What Virus? Videos Show Crowded Donovan's Reef, D'Jais

SEA BRIGHT, NJ — Coronavirus? What coronavirus?

The drinks were flowing, the live bands/club music thumping and there appeared to be an extreme lack of social distancing at two popular Jersey Shore bars over the past two weekends: D'Jais in Belmar and Donovan's Reef in Sea Bright. Read more: Videos Show Lots Of Crowding At D’Jais In Belmar

"Florida has nothing on NJ as crowds throng Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright," tweeted NBC New York reporter Brian Thompson, filming at 9:36 p.m. Friday, June 20th from outside the beloved Sea Bright tiki bar.

Saturday, June 20 marked the first day of summer and outdoor eating and drinking were allowed to resume at New Jersey bars/restaurants as of June 15.

This comes at the same time Arizona, Florida, South Carolina and Texas all reported massive increases in coronavirus cases since opening back up. All those states showed sharp increases in COVID cases specifically two weeks after Memorial Day weekend, according to the Washington Post.

And Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said Monday that "COVID-19 is now spreading at an unacceptable rate in Texas."

Gov. Phil Murphy said he had little patience for those seen not wearing masks or social distancing at Jersey Shore bars.

"We're seeing the viral videos of too many people too close to each other, not wearing any face coverings," said Murphy at his daily press briefing on Monday, speaking to State Police Director Patrick Callahan. "Which are driving you and me crazy."

"Folks have been extraordinary and, after you've been cooped up for three months, and it's 90 degrees, can you blame people for coming out and letting their hair down a bit?" said the guv. "But we are going to have to tighten up. Too many viral videos for my taste."

Murphy said his administration is discussing what actions to take next.