Gloucester Township Lifts Ban On Outdoor Dining

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Gloucester Township residents will be able to join the rest of the state in its participation in outdoor dining come 6 a.m. Monday morning.

Council unanimously passed a resolution to temporarily suspend the ban on outdoor dining at restaurants in the township Monday night. The resolution also allows the restaurants to serve alcohol outside as part of meals.

The resolution was adopted Monday night, with no date specified for the expiration of the temporary lifting of the ban.

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Restaurants and their customers will have to adhere to the following guidelines set forth by the state:

• tables are going to have to be six feet apart
• buffet and salad bars will be gone
• takeout only will be offered if the weather gets bad
• employees at the bars and restaurants will have to wear masks

See more stories about New Jersey's coronavirus recovery.
Anyone who wants to go inside will have to wear a face covering, and can only be there for a very short period of time. And instead of waiting for a table at the door, residents may have to wait in their car. Read more here: Here's What To Do At NJ Bars, Restaurants Under Coronavirus Rules

The state Health Department emphasized that rules and guidance are "crucial" for ensuring that retail establishments "follow good personal hygiene practices and take necessary steps to promote a healthy work environment to assist in lowering the further spread of COVID-19."

The Health Department wanted to make sure employers, in particular, provide training in hand washing, cleaning/disinfection, social distancing, use of face coverings, and monitoring for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 in the workplace.

Murphy has been releasing "hard dates" and specifics on New Jersey's plans to reopen its economy during the coronavirus crisis. And he was expected to provide more details over the course of June. Read more here: Gov. Murphy: 'Hard Dates' For NJ Coronavirus Reopening

So who is going to be open and where are you planning to chow down? Let us know in the comments or send an email to Anthony.Bellano@patch.com.