Moorestown Mayor Hopes Indoor Dining Increase Helps Businesses

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Mayor Nicole Gillespie is hopeful that Gov. Phil Murphy's announcement Wednesday that some businesses can expand their indoor capacity will help those who have struggled through the coronavirus pandemic since last year.

“I’m very happy to see it,” Gillespie said. “I hope the increase in capacity and the weather getting warmer will help restaurants get back on track the way they want to. It seems like the right time to me, given where we are with vaccines and decreasing numbers. We can take this cautious step in the right direction, and observe what happens.”

Murphy said indoor capacity limits will expand from 35 to 50 percent effective 6 a.m. on March 19. The expansion covers restaurants, bars, gyms, casinos, fitness centers, barbers, salons and personal care businesses. Read More: NJ Bars, Restaurants, Others To Expand To 50 Percent Amid COVID

"We feel confident in the steps announced today given the data we've been seeing over the past five weeks. On Feb. 5, when our restaurant capacity last changed, our hospitals were treating nearly 2,900 patients. That number has come down by 1,000 and been consistent since then," Murphy tweeted.

Murphy also will increase the number of people allowed at gatherings from 10 to 25 people indoors and 25 to 50 people outside.

Murphy added that unlike other states that are "prioritizing politics over public health," such as Texas and Mississippi, the state's mask mandate will remain in effect and will continue to be enforced.

"We will continue to move deliberately, responsibly, incrementally guided by public health data," Murphy said.