28 NJ Businesses, Parties Broke COVID Rules In January Clampdown

NEW JERSEY - The state says at least 28 businesses and parties violated executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic this month, prompting authorities to issue warnings against businesses that may have "jeopardized public health" as the state continues to deal with a record number of new cases.

The state has announced that each establishment and party organizer could face penalties for violating heightened restrictions placed on businesses by Gov. Phil Murphy (see a partial list of the businesses and parties below).

Murphy is expected to announce more citations during his 1 p.m. news conference on Tuesday. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Coronavirus, Vaccines Update

The Office of Attorney General has warned that businesses – such as bars and restaurants – could lose their licenses if they don't obey the governor's executive orders.

“As we’ve said before: we take no pleasure in undertaking these actions, but we’re in the midst of a pandemic, and we need everyone in the state to do their part to combat a surge in COVID-19," Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. “We will not allow a small percentage of bars and restaurants that disregard mitigation measures to jeopardize public health, and our message is especially important as we head into the New Year’s holiday.”

The citations come after Murphy late last year signed Executive Order No. 194 which, among other things, imposes a 10 p.m. curfew on all indoor food and drink services in the state and prohibits patrons from being seated at an indoor bar at all times.

The restrictions were imposed by Murphy in an effort to reduce the sustained close contact that results from patrons seated at indoor bar areas. He also signed the order as New Jersey continues to deal with a rise in cases and deaths as the second wave of the coronavirus hits the state. Read more: NJ Hits Highest COVID-19 Weekly Case Totals As Key Metrics Jump

Not all of the establishments were identified. Col. Pat Callahan, the superintendent of the State Police, said the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control conducted 66 inspections in both Bergen and Hudson County on New Year's Day and cited 12 different establishments, with naming them.

On Jan. 2nd, the ABC conducted 16 compliance inspections and cited three establishments in Essex County, without naming them. A pork restaurant in Newark also was cited in early January.

Other establishments that were named include:

• Gypsy Hookah Lounge in Paterson
• La Dolce Vita in West Orange
• Belie Café in Paterson
• Bison Cafe in Paterson
• Mazaj Lebanese Cuisine in Paterson
• Star Diva's Plus in Newark
• Lucky Nails and Spa Studio in Newark
• Ava's Kitchen and Bar in Kenilworth

Here are the parties that were cited, according to Callahan:

• In Harrison, police responded on Jan. 2nd to an indoor soccer facility where approximately 400 people were playing in an indoor league. Food and drinks being served, no social distancing was seen and no masks were being worn.
• Earlier in the month, Kearny police responded to a report of a fight at a "very large house party" with more than 50 people. The homeowner was cited.
• Two parties happened in Newark just last week: Police responded to a very large gathering of more than 100 people, and the organizer was cited. Newark Police also responded to a separate large gathering where they cited the organizer.

Since March, ABC has initiated enforcement actions against more than 200 establishments in response to COVID-19-related violations by licensees. Those actions have delivered warnings and sought fines, license suspensions, and license revocations.

Read more:

• Gov. Murphy: 10 NJ Bars, Restaurants Broke COVID-19 Rules
• 12 NJ Bars, Restaurants Broke COVID Rules, Attorney General Says

“The actions announced .... demonstrate the (Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control's) commitment to ensuring that all of our licensees are operating in compliance with the governor’s COVID-19 orders in place to reduce the risk of viral spread,” said James B. Graziano, director of the Division Alcoholic Beverage Control. “Our enforcement actions are necessary to protect the health and well-being of all New Jerseyans and violators face significant consequences.”