Assemblyman Greenwald Supports the Governor’s Executive Order to Increase Restaurant Capacity

(TRENTON) – Yesterday, Governor Phil Murphy signed the Executive Order No. 219 to relax indoor restrictions in New Jersey.  The Order will increase indoor capacity limits from 25% up to 35% and will also allow restaurants to stay open past 10:00 p.m. starting on Friday morning.  The Executive Order will include: restaurants, gyms, casinos, personal care businesses, amusement and recreation facilities, performance venues, religious ceremonies or services, wedding ceremonies, political activities, and memorial services.

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-Burlington, Camden) sponsors legislation (A-5133) that would expand indoor capacity for food or beverage establishments, and banquet and wedding venues, up to 50% as long as specific measures designed to mitigate the risk of spreading the disease are established.  The bill is part of a legislative package providing Main Street relief for restaurants and small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. The economy-driving Main Street package will spearhead job creation while protecting employees and customers.

Following the signing of the Executive Order, Greenwald issued the following statement:

“We must continue to follow the science.  COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations are going down while more vaccines are administered every day.  As of now, New Jersey is making great progress against the pandemic and we must continue to follow the healthcare data. Governor Murphy’s executive order, along with the bill A-5133, is a positive step we must take.  It will give our families, friends, and neighbors the ability to open their businesses more and allow our State to continue with a safe transition toward better days in the upcoming months.”