Opening Indoor Dining 'Is A Step In The Right Direction': Lipani

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Deputy Mayor Shawn Lipani joined forces with more than 50 Hillsborough restaurant owners to petition Gov. Phil Murphy to reopen indoor dining on Aug. 24. Lipani says he is hoping their efforts helped to influence Murphy's decision to allow indoor dining to reopen on Friday amid the coronavirus.

"While opening indoor dining this weekend at 25 percent capacity is a step in the right direction, we remain hopeful through the efforts of our Economic Business and Development Commission's petition to the Governor that increased capacity will quickly follow. Many local restaurants are owned and operated by our friends and neighbors in our community and this has had a devastating financial impact on them," said Lipani, who also serves as Liaison to the Economic and Business Development Commission.

Murphy announced on Monday that restaurants across the state will be able to open for indoor dining beginning at 6 a.m. this Friday, Sept. 4, at 25 percent capacity and with social distancing between tables. Read More: Gov. Murphy: NJ Indoor Dining To Resume Amid Coronavirus Crisis

"The level of support for our local food establishments shown by the people of Hillsborough is astounding," Lipani said. "However, no amount of support can bring back the revenue lost due to the loss of indoor dining."

Natalie Pineiro, executive director of the Downtown Somerville Alliance, shared similar sentiments to Lipani.

"We hope that in a short time the Governor will consider raising those capacity limits even further. The reality is that 25 percent capacity only works while combined with outdoor dining, and even with a mild fall — we're looking at maybe only another six weeks or so of viable outdoor dining weather. And so while we’ll take this small victory, we’ll continue to advocate with our counterparts across the State for safe/responsible indoor dining at an increased capacity," Pineiro said.

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As of Tuesday, New Jersey has a total of 192,290 coronavirus and 14,170 deaths. Somerset County has a total of 5,425 cases and 493 deaths. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Along with capacity limitations, the state issued a list of rules for indoor dining:

• Restaurants can only open indoors at 25 percent capacity.
• Parties must capped at eight people, and tables must be 6 feet apart.
• Staff must wear masks all times.
• Diners must wear masks when not in their seats.
• Food and beverages can only be consumed while seated.
• Diners must keep masks on while waiting for food and once they're eating and drinking is finished. "Walking around with a drink indoors will not be tolerated," Murphy said.
• You can only order food while seated at your table and only staff can bring you food and beverages.
• You can dine at the bar but you must be properly socially distanced.
• Groups seated at the bar must be capped at 4 people
• Air conditioner units must be turned for outdoor air to flow into dining areas.
• Windows must be open for air flow into dining areas
• Restaurants must post signage saying that no one with a fever can enter the establishment.
• Restaurants are encouraged to take reservations
• Customers should wait in their cars if they have to wait for a table, and if social distancing can't be maintained in outdoor waiting areas.
• Buffets and salad bars are prohibited.
• Restaurants should disinfect all commonly touched areas, such as menus.
• Physical barriers should be posted at cash registers.
• Employers must do daily health screenings of their staff.
• Restaurants should ensure ventilation, heating and air conditioning units are working properly.
• Air conditioning and heating units must be run two hours before and two hours after the facility is occupied.

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