Restaurant Rules Loosen In Newark As COVID Cases Drop

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey’s most populated city is loosening its coronavirus rules for local restaurants as cases of the virus drop, Newark officials announced Thursday evening.

Mayor Ras Baraka’s executive order will affect restaurants and other eateries until at least Oct. 31, when it expires. It took effect immediately.

“As we continue to see a decline in Newark’s COVID-19 positivity rate and an increase in residents being vaccinated, it’s important for our restaurants and businesses to be provided with additional opportunity to help stimulate the economy, while having the proper structures in place to ensure our residents’ safety,” Baraka said.

“We are moving Newark forward safely, economically, and turning this pandemic into a time to excel,” he added.

Here’s what the city’s latest coronavirus rule changes mean for local restaurants.

DINING CURFEWS

Indoor dining establishments can now stay open until 2 a.m., and outdoor dining establishments until midnight. Music can’t be played after 10 p.m. at outside dining establishments.

FACE MASKS

The ordinance requires face coverings to be worn “at all times,” except when eating or drinking, in a space where the person is alone, or among a group that has been fully vaccinated.

VACCINES AT LARGE VENUES

According to a statement from city officials, the executive order “requests large outdoor and indoor venues to implement a mandatory vaccine policy prior to patrons entering their buildings.”

‘STREATERIES’

Under the executive order, dining establishments and restaurants are permitted to temporarily convert curbside parking spaces into an area specifically intended for outdoor dining, where take-away food and beverages can be consumed.

Restaurant owners must apply for licenses to create one of the parklets, which are also being called “streateries.”

The city department of finance, along with the office of tax abatement, in cooperation with the departments of engineering and public safety and the Newark Parking Authority, will have prior approval of “streateries” and parklet applications. The application fee is $100 and the annual renewal is the same amount. There are additional fees for occupation of land up to 100 square feet or more for 30-day periods or fractions thereof.

Additional information about “streateries” and parklets includes:

• All streateries must provide ADA curb ramps, easily removable tables, chairs, and other seating. Shade coverings such as umbrellas or pop-up canopies may be included, along with a single identifying sign to identify the sponsors of the streatery, its hours, and guidance on occupancy and social distancing. These facilities will be made of permanent and semi-permanent structures or permanent or temporary tents.
• Restaurant owners cannot prepare food outdoors, and are required to sweep and wash their streateries daily. They must also adhere to street-sweeping schedules. In case of a public emergency, the City has the power to remove streateries.
• Diners at streateries face a 90-minute time limit, which restaurant owners must post.
• The Newark Alcohol Beverage Control Board must provide approval for restaurant owners to sell, serve, deliver, or allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages in any streatery. In addition, diners may not bring their own alcoholic beverages to these sites.
• Streateries and parklets may not be located in a 10-foot bus stop, within 25 feet of a crosswalk, 10 feet of a hydrant, or in handicap parking spaces or loading zones.
• Applicants for streatery permits must be current on their local property taxes and water and sewer charges before their license is issued.

For more information about the executive order and its policies, contact Juanita Jordan, the manager of the division of special taxes and permits at 973-733-3722 or jordanj@ci.newark.nj.us.

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