Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that the City of Newark is cancelling its plans to re-open indoor restaurant dining until further notice, following Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement.
Indoor dining was scheduled to resume on Thursday, July 2, under the state’s Phase 2 Coronavirus reopening plan, but Governor Murphy announced the cancellation today, citing videos and reports from outdoor bars and restaurants showing packed crowds not wearing masks and ignoring social distancing as a reason from pausing indoor dining indefinitely. Mayor Baraka is following suit to ensure the safety of Newark residents.
The governor had provided the detailed restrictions for indoor dining at restaurants over the weekend. The restrictions had included 25 percent capacity limits, tables spaced six feet apart, face coverings for staff and other rules.
New Jersey restaurants resumed outdoor dining on June 15 after about three months of only allowing restaurants to provide takeout or delivery.