Yesterday, Mayor Baraka sent a letter to all restaurants in Newark addressing the failure on the part of some restaurant owners to comply with COVID-19 regulations related to social distancing, occupancy, and protection methods such as wearing masks, gloves, and where appropriate, providing sanitizer. In the letter, Mayor Baraka noted numerous establishments have reportedly been operating with “deliberate and brazen violation” of both state and local orders.
The letter notified business owners that the City of Newark would be increasing site inspections of establishments permitted to sell alcohol, and those selling alcohol without proper authorization. “Business owners and operators violate the orders related to occupancy limitations, or who are selling alcohol to patrons who are not seated at socially distanced tables eating food, or who are operating as nightclubs instead of restaurants will be closed,” the letter said. Businesses found in violation of COVID-19 regulations will be closed for a period of up to one week. Businesses with repeat offenses, will be closed indefinitely, and have their liquor license suspended. Documentation of violations will be evaluated for further enforcement action, including potential revocation of alcohol licenses, if appropriate.
The letter continues, “We must put the aforementioned measures in place as we are seeing many cities experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases over the past several weeks, caused largely by bars and restaurants that disregarded the safety conditions imposed by the state and local orders. We all need to continue to work together to end the spread of COVID-19 in New York so that we can reopen all of our businesses, and ensure that we are stronger as a community moving Newark forward.”
