Vaccine Proof At Restaurants? Morristown Has Mixed Opinions

MORRISTOWN, NJ — New Jersey does not require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to eat at a restaurant. But some eateries around the state have weighed whether they'd like to institute their own rule.

It's Greek to Me in Ridgewood became perhaps the first in the Garden State to require proof of vaccination for guests who want to dine indoors. Morristown's Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen asked customers for feedback on whether they should get proof from diners.

Most of Morristown is fully vaccinated against the virus — 67 percent of all ages, 76 percent of adults and 96 percent of seniors as of Thursday afternoon, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.

But the idea of requiring proof of vaccination before you dine doesn't rub all in Morristown the right way. Morristown Patch asked readers whether a requirement of proof would make them more, less or equally likely to dine at such a restaurant. The question received mixed responses.

"Would not visit a place that segregates and discriminates," said Johanna PF.

"Definitely not. Wouldn’t even get take out from it," wrote EM Law.

"Most of the people saying more, probably would stay home lol," wrote Bill Hayden. "And then if the first round of closures didn't kill these establishments, this will."

However, many Morristown Patch readers said they'd be more likely to patronize a restaurant with a vaccination requirement.

"That's the ONLY way I'd go back inside of a restaurant," said Theresa Markila. "I've become reacquainted with the goodness of home cooking this past year so don't feel any need to risk my health/life or someone else's for the sake of something unnecessary like eating in a restaurant."

"The thing is, we already need to show immunization records for a lot things in society," wrote Ashley Koning. "This should not be a big deal. Safety and health should not be politicized."

"More likely! Let’s support the establishments that are trying to do the right thing," said Alida Karas.

Starting Monday, New York City will require proof of vaccination to access indoor restaurants, gyms and performance venues. Children under 12, who aren't eligible for the vaccine yet, will be able to enter indoor venues with their families.

Cases in New Jersey have risen with the emergence of the delta, which accounted for 90.4 percent of infections sequenced in the state over a four-week period ending July 24. The delta variant only accounted for 9.7 percent of New Jersey cases in December.

Hospitalizations in the state increased from 293 on June 28 to 763 as of Wednesday. Fully vaccinated individuals accounted for 18.5 percent of cases (803 of 4,332), three percent of hospitalizations (11 of 378) and no coronavirus deaths (0 of 21) from July 20-26, according to Gov. Phil Murphy.

Patch issued a survey last week, asking New Jersey readers about issues such as potential masking and vaccine requirements. Out of 17,285 responses, 55.8 percent said they would support a vaccine passport to attend events and partake in indoor dining. Out of those responses, 37.5 percent said no, while the rest weren't sure. Read more: Yes Mask Mandate, School Masks, Vaccine Passport: NJ Patch Survey

How do you feel about restaurants requiring vaccination proof? Comment below the article, or join the conversation on Morristown Patch's Facebook page.

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