Newark Bars Accused Of COVID-19 Violations On Halloween Weekend

NEWARK, NJ — Newark officials warned residents and local businesses that they weren’t fooling around about their new coronavirus restrictions last week. And over Halloween holiday, they showed they meant it.

The Newark Fire Division cited several bars and businesses over the weekend after they allegedly held Halloween parties that violated the city’s new COVID-19 regulations. The temporary changes include a new set of rules for many local businesses, which are required to close nightly at 8 p.m. The changes will also affect Newark restaurants, barber shops, nail salons and gyms.

• See related article: Newark Tackles '2nd Wave' Of COVID-19; New Rules, Business Curfew

“It’s a shame that after seven months people and owners of these establishments are not taking this pandemic seriously,” Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

Ambrose alleged that the cited businesses were choosing “wealth vs. health.”

The following establishments were closed and cited for violating the city’s COVID-19 regulations. Most of the locations cited were in violation of not wearing masks and not exercising social distancing, however fire and code violations superseded the citations, Ambrose said.

• La Rouge Lounge, 972 Broad Street: “Found operating above capacity; not practicing social distancing; patrons failed to utilize PPEs; utilization of hookahs in violation of fire code. Citation was issued for COVID violation via fire inspector issued citation for violations.”
• King Soccer, 6 Elizabeth Ave: “Closed and cited for operating without a certificate of occupancy. No other violations were found.”
• Zepe's Cafe Bar, 240 Elm Street: “Closed and cited due to several violations. Upon entry there was a crowd of patrons observed not social distancing. On October 30, Zepe was warned of the violation. As per Alcohol and Beverage Control, this establishment is closed until Monday.”
• ViVo Lounge, 167 Ferry Street: “Closed and cited for having patrons eating inside after 8 p.m.”
• Lit 21: 1034 McCarter Hwy: “Closed and cited for operating after 8 p.m., no PPE, serving alcohol from the bar, and over capacity.”

The city’s recently formed COVID-19 Task Force had a major role in last weekend’s enforcement actions, authorities said.

On Friday, the task force confiscated illegal alcohol valued at $10,000 and made two arrests of event organizers at a warehouse. The force will continue to conduct inspections of businesses for violations of the mayor’s executive order, as the COVID-19 numbers are rising in Newark, particularly in the East Ward, authorities said.

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