Restrictions Tighten As Gloucester Twp. Coronavirus Cases Go Up

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — As the number of coronavirus cases in Camden County and across the state continue to spike, Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday announced new restrictions were coming on indoor dining.

In Gloucester Township, there were 47 new cases of the coronavirus reported between Saturday and Monday, according to Camden County officials. As of Monday, there have been 1,433 cases of the coronavirus and 62 confirmed deaths related to the virus in Gloucester Township since the beginning of the pandemic.

While officials have said indoor dining has not necessarily been the culprit for spikes across the state, Murphy said they knew there would be a certain risk associated with the return of indoor activities.

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During a news conference Monday, Murphy announced that bars and restaurants will soon need to close all indoor service by 10 p.m. Outdoor dining and takeout and delivery services may continue beyond 10 p.m., and enclosed, heated outdoor tents can be put up outside.

There will be no more barside seating, but tables can be placed within 6 feet of each other, as long as there are barriers in place. Read more here: Gov. Murphy: NJ COVID-19 Numbers Going In 'Wrong Direction'

The governor's announcement mostly impacts bars that are open late. Nicholas Hionas, who owns the Lamp Post Diner and Meadows Diner, doesn’t see the new restrictions impacting his businesses as much as those that focus on alcohol sales.

“We close at 10 anyway, so it might not affect me too much,” Hionas said. “Hopefully, we’re moving in the right direction.”

Hionas said he was still trying to digest the news shortly after Monday afternoon’s news conference. The owners at both Villari's Lakeside Restaurant and Lounge and Skeeter's Pub were discussing next steps after the news came out. The owners of those establishments weren’t available for comment on Monday.

Skeeter’s Pub is typically open until 3 a.m., according to their Facebook page. Villari’s is open until midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, according to their Facebook page.

Trace investigations are underway in all new cases. The following information is known about the new coronavirus cases reported in Gloucester Township on Monday:

• Five girls older than 10;
• Eight women in their 20s;
• Three boys older than 10;
• Five men in their 40s;
• Two juvenile girls of unannounced age;
• Two men in their 30s;
• Four women in their 30s;
• Five men in their 50s;
• 11 men in their 20s;
• Two women in their 60s;
• Two women in their 50s;
• Three women in their 40s;
• A juvenile boy of unknown age;
• A man in his 60s;
• A man in his 70s; and
• A man in his 80s.