Jockey Hollow In Morristown To Require Vaccine Proof After Case

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen will begin requiring proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 for indoor dining. The decision came after an employee tested positive for the virus, prompting the restaurant to close for a week.

Unvaccinated guests can dine outdoors. Guests under 12, however, will still be allowed to eat indoors.

A member of the management team, who is fully vaccinated, tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Since she exposed the rest of the management staff to the virus in a meeting, the restaurant made the "difficult decision" to close for an entire week, said owner Christopher Cannon. All staff will get tested within that span.

"In the meantime, it has become clear that we need to more strenuously protect our staff and guests indoors, by requiring Proof of Vaccination similar to what has been mandated in New York City," Cannon said.

Last month, Jockey Hollow became one of New Jersey's first restaurants to openly consider requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining. Cannon posted on the restaurant's social media page Aug. 5, asking the public for feedback on the consideration. Read more: Morristown Restaurant Considers Requiring Proof Of Vaccination

"New Jersey is nearing a 70% vaccination rate and requiring proof will of course exclude a small minority of folks," Cannon wrote Aug. 5, "but we feel that ensuring the safety of all outweighs any inconvenience."

Morristown Patch asked readers for their opinions on restaurants requiring proof of vaccination, receiving mixed answers. Read more: Vaccine Proof At Restaurants? Morristown Has Mixed Opinions

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