Gov. Murphy: Jenkinson's Will 'Shut' If Patrons Don't Behave

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Gov. Phil Murphy said he's ready to shut down Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant Beach if patrons don't engage in social distancing.

Murphy, speaking during his Monday news conference, called out patrons at Jenkinson's, D'Jais in Belmar and Donovan's Reef in Sea Bright after they were seen not social distancing in photos over the weekend.

Related:

• Gov. Murphy: D'Jais In Belmar Will 'Shut' If Patrons Don't Behave
• Murphy: Donovan’s Reef Will ‘Shut’ If Crowded Lines Continue

Murphy said these establishments "may have been trying to do the right thing once patrons got in," but the patrons themselves didn't do enough to protect themselves and others.

"If we have to shut places down to protect public health, then we will," he said.

Murphy specifically targeted young people in his criticisms: "Consider this your warning before you go out drinking this weekend."

Murphy said the lines "were filled with people, again, particularly young people, who were neither being kept socially distanced or wearing masks. I don't think there are any masks in that picture."

"By the time these patrons would have even gotten in, this virus could have already easily spread just through the line," he said.

Murphy said standing around maskless outside a bar "is just as big of a knucklehead move as it is standing around maskless inside one."

"The patrons of these bars need to get on the same page and quickly," he said.