Outdoor Dining Coming To Toms River Restaurants

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River residents who have been looking forward to dining out will be able to do so at some township restaurants on Monday, as the state eases restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

To prepare for that, Toms River officials have created a temporary provision under the special events permit to allow restaurants to set up outdoor dining at their premises. The permit allows for outdoor tables, chairs, umbrellas and benches for food establishments. The council also waived the $100 permit fee.

In addition, the Ocean County freeholders approved the temporary closure of Washington Streetbetween Main Street and Robbins Street to allow restaurants to safely arrange outdoor dining.

Some restaurants announced their plans to open for outdoor dining over the weekend, including measures that will be in place to enforce social distancing and provide access.

Mangia Brick Oven Pizza said it would require reservations and allow patrons 90-minute blocks for dining:

The Office Lounge also will have outdoor dining:

Artisan's Restaurant will have outdoor dining:

Riv's Toms River Hub is prepared:

Ocean County Health Department officials said the department will be making sure restaurants are complying with all of the safety rules, both those related to the coronavirus and the original food safety regulations.

"We not only want to make sure you're safe from food-borne illness and other health concerns while dining out, but we also want to keep everyone safe when we are in these establishments doing our job," said John Protonentis, the county health department's environmental health coordinator. "We'll have a typical busy summer ahead of us with approximately 3,250 retail food establishments within the jurisdiction of the OCHD with a good amount scheduled for inspection."

Restaurants that are not following the coronavirus executive orders "will continue to be forwarded to the Ocean County Sheriff's Department for follow-up and enforcement," said Daniel Regenye, the county's public health coordinator.

"The OCHD still expect our residents to follow social distancing and health hygiene measures whether dining out or participating in other activities," Regenye said. "Food establishment managers and their staff must encourage customers to follow these guidelines if we hope to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus moving forward."

If you are a restaurant owner who has received the permit and want to be included on this list, please email karen.wall@patch.com.

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