W. Orange Bars, Restaurants Face New COVID Rules From NJ – Again

WEST ORANGE, NJ — New Jersey’s latest coronavirus regulations are going to mean early nights for many bars and restaurants in West Orange, starting Thursday.

Gov. Phil Murphy has repeatedly warned that if the state’s COVID-19 numbers start backsliding, it may mean a return to stricter regulations for restaurants and bars.

Earlier this week, Murphy followed through on his promise, announcing that restaurants and bars will have to stop all indoor service by 10 p.m. and nix seating at the bar. Outdoor dining, takeout and delivery services can continue beyond 10 p.m., and enclosed, heated tents can be put up outside.

The new rules begin Thursday at 5 a.m.

• See related article: Gov. Murphy: NJ COVID-19 Numbers Going In 'Wrong Direction'
• See related article: Gov. Murphy To Impose New NJ Restrictions As COVID-19 Cases Spike

In West Orange, there have been 1,951 cumulative cases of COVID-19 and 189 deaths as of Wednesday, according to the town's most recent totals.

Overall, Essex County has been one of the hardest-hit areas in the entire state when it comes to the virus. As of Wednesday, the county has seen 28,451 confirmed COVID-19 cases according to the state Department of Health – the most in New Jersey.

Essex County has also seen 1,931 confirmed deaths linked to the disease, also the highest total in the state.

On Wednesday, West Orange Mayor Robert Parisi released a coronavirus update that included information about the state's latest restaurant/bar restrictions.

"The governor has initiated new restrictions but at this time, the township is not going to expand on them," Parisi wrote.

Parisi continued:

"Limited indoor and outdoor dining returned in late spring and does not appear to be directly related to the increase ... The township will continue to review all cases and coordinate with county and state officials for information and guidance but for the township, and all of us, to get through this, we all need to do our part, encourage family and friends to do theirs and to think through every action, even the small ones we take for granted … do I really need to go, can I get this done some other way, can this wait?"

The mayor added:

"Watch your child play sports or cheer but wear a mask and watch alone from a distance. Support a favorite restaurant but order take out. Order online or simply wait awhile before purchasing something for the house. Zoom with friends instead of in person and revisit the shows from Netflix or Prime that you passed on in the spring. Hunker down, enjoy the family and safety of our own homes."

DOING BUSINESS AMID A PANDEMIC

Since the pandemic began, businesses in Essex County have been kept on their toes by the state’s ever-evolving coronavirus rules. Some have succeeded under the new regulations – and even thrived – while others have struggled.

But failure amid the pandemic isn’t always their fault according to some elected officials, who say the state’s new COVID-19 regulations go too far.

Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (District 26), who represents towns including Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell, said Murphy is taking a “shotgun” approach to the situation, but needs to use a “scalpel” instead.

For example, Murphy’s latest edict in reaction to an uptick in COVID-19 cases requires virtually all restaurants to erect plexiglass barriers around dining tables that are less than six feet apart – and greater restrictions on bar areas. But DeCroce argued the cost of those barriers is prohibitive for many small restaurants that are barely making ends meet now.

“State officials need to start thinking about what our community landscape is going to look like, and what our state economy is going to look like when we pull out of the pandemic,” DeCroce said. “We don’t want to leave behind a barren wasteland of closed businesses and broken dreams.”

Sen. Joe Pennacchio, who also represents District 26, also blasted Gov. Murphy’s latest curfew for restaurants and bars, saying it’s “just another random edict” amid the pandemic.

“Is the governor suggesting diners are more susceptible to the virus later in the night?” Pennacchio questioned. “Unjustified restrictions like this crippled New Jersey’s economy earlier this year. We can’t let this happen again.”

Are you an owner or employee at a bar/restaurant in West Orange? Let us know how the new rules are affecting YOU in the comments section, or reach out to eric.kiefer@patch.com.

Get caught up on some recent local business stories below.

• READ MORE: West Orange Salons, Barbershops Reopen After COVID Shutdown
• READ MORE: West Orange Chamber Of Commerce: Virtual Thanksgiving Event
• READ MORE: West Orange Welcomes 2 New Businesses With COVID-Safe Ceremony
• READ MORE: Coronavirus PPP Loans In West Orange: Where The Money Went

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