Point Pleasant Beach Won't Impose 8 p.m. Curfew Due To COVID-19

POINT PLEASANT BORO — Even though Gov. Phil Murphy gave towns the option to further restrict hours by closing nonessential businesses after 8 p.m. due to rising coronavirus cases, Point Pleasant Beach will not follow suit.

Mayor Paul Kanitra said his town's COVID rates remain under control, and lower than most other places.

He said such a curfew is "not at all under consideration."

"We can’t have the cure be worse than the disease and an 8 p.m. curfew would be even more devastating for businesses who are already reeling from state measures," Kanitra said.

Point Pleasant Beach has had 71 total COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in March and five deaths. The case numbers have nearly doubled since Sept. 21st, when there were 43.

Murphy signed an executive order last Thursday granting municipalities and counties the option to close nonessential businesses after 8 p.m. Read More: Gov. Murphy: NJ Towns Can Add COVID-19 Restrictions On Businesses

The order comes amid further restrictions announced last Monday, which mandates restaurants, bars, clubs and lounges in the state to close indoor service between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., effective starting Thursday. Read more: Gov. Murphy Clarifies New Rules For NJ Indoor Dining, Barbers

Murphy also reduced limits on gatherings – including those on Thanksgiving – because coronavirus cases have risen sharply. Murphy told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that New Jersey is reducing the limits on indoor gatherings from 25 to 10 people beginning Tuesday, and on outdoor gatherings from 500 to 150 people beginning Nov. 23. Read More: Gov. Murphy: NJ To Lower Gathering Limits Amid Coronavirus Spikes

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