'Our Businesses Need To Earn:' Clark Won't Impose 8 p.m. Curfew

CLARK, NJ — Even though Gov. Phil Murphy gave towns the option to further restrict hours by closing nonessential businesses after 8 p.m. due to rising coronavirus cases, Clark will not follow suit.

"No!" Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso emphatically told Patch that the township would not impose the curfew.

"Our businesses need to earn. I trust the residents of Clark to make proper decisions battling the Covid 19 virus," said Bonaccorso.

Murphy signed an executive order last Thursday granting municipalities and counties the option to close nonessential businesses after 8 p.m. Read More: Gov. Murphy: NJ Towns Can Add COVID-19 Restrictions On Businesses

The order comes amid further restrictions announced last Monday, which mandates restaurants, bars, clubs and lounges in the state to close indoor service between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., effective starting Thursday. Read more: Gov. Murphy Clarifies New Rules For NJ Indoor Dining, Barbers

As of last Friday, Clark has reported 34 new cases in the past week bringing the cumulative total to 442 positive cases since March.

Murphy also reduced limits on gatherings – including those on Thanksgiving – because coronavirus cases have risen sharply. Murphy told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that New Jersey is reducing the limits on indoor gatherings from 25 to 10 people beginning Tuesday, and on outdoor gatherings from 500 to 150 people beginning Nov. 23. Read More: Gov. Murphy: NJ To Lower Gathering Limits Amid Coronavirus Spikes

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