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Burlington County Senator Calls For Indoor Dining Increase
State Sen. Troy Singleton (D-7) is echoing calls to give restaurants a "chance to survive" amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A state representative is calling on the governor to increase indoor dining limits to help restaurants survive amid the coronavirus pandemic.
State Sen. Troy Singleton (D-7) is also calling for a revision to the existing indoor dining guidelines before the cool weather arrives. His statement comes two weeks after the head of the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey made a similar plea.
"Seven months after the start of the public health emergency, my team and I are still fielding questions from worried restaurant owners," Singleton said. "Questions that we simply do not have the answers to. How will they be able to operate during the chillier fall and winter months? Will they be able to continue to keep their staff employed? More simply, will they be able to survive?"
In September, Gov. Phil Murphy announced indoor dining could resume, six months after restaurants were forced to close to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Indoor capacity is limited to 25 percent of a building's capacity. Restaurants have been permitted to serve customers outside since the beginning of the summer, but the cold weather will soon have an impact on outdoor seating.
"Outdoor dining and 25 percent indoor capacity were an understandable first step in allowing our restaurants to reopen after the long shutdown," Singleton said. "However, after several months of serving customers both inside and outside, these professionals have demonstrated they are more than capable of serving the public, while simultaneously maintaining the health and safety of both staff and patrons."
Murphy has been steadily reopening indoor activities. He signed an executive order on Monday evening allowing the resumption of contact practices and competitions in indoor settings for organized sports defined as "medium risk" and "high risk." Read more here: Indoor Sports Can Resume In NJ Amid Coronavirus, Gov. Says
During a news conference two weeks ago, Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey President and CEO Christina Renna said the limit on indoor dining is what is beginning to take its toll on restaurants, some of which are beginning to close their doors altogether. Read more here: Give Restaurants A Chance To Survive, SJ Chamber Head Says
During that conference, Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. also stated that he believes restaurants are being run safely in the region.
"I really feel little if any risk at all. I think restaurateurs really get it, and are really providing a safe environment," Cappelli said.
Other officials have been critical of the indoor limits as well, including more than 20 mayors who are part of the Mayors for "Main Street" Alliance. Many of the mayors in the alliance are Republican, but both Singleton and Cappelli are Democrats.
"Governor Murphy has been careful and prudent in his decision-making; he has also been compromising," Singleton said. "When my team and I pointed out flaws in a previous outdoor dining policy, he thoughtfully revised it, which allowed many of our local eateries to remain open. It is once again time for reconsideration. Expanding the indoor dining limits and revising the indoor dining guidelines now will give these small businesses enough time to prepare their restaurants. More importantly, it will give them a fighting chance to survive."
Additional Info
Media Contact : Anthony Bellano, Patch Staff | https://patch.com/users/anthony-bellano
Source : https://patch.com/new-jersey/moorestown/burlington-county-assemblyman-calls-indoor-dining-increase
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