{"id":149682,"date":"2020-12-13T19:33:52","date_gmt":"2020-12-14T00:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breaking911.com\/?p=149682"},"modified":"2020-12-13T19:33:52","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T00:33:52","slug":"nj-suspends-liquor-licenses-of-10-bars-for-alleged-coronavirus-violations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breaking911.com\/nj-suspends-liquor-licenses-of-10-bars-for-alleged-coronavirus-violations\/","title":{"rendered":"NJ Suspends Liquor Licenses Of 10 Bars For Alleged Coronavirus Violations"},"content":{"rendered":"

TRENTON<\/strong> \u2013 (NJ Attorney General \/ NEWS RELEASE)<\/em> — Ramping up enforcement of COVID-19 orders as the virus surges in New Jersey, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (\u201cABC\u201d) today announced they are seeking to suspend the liquor licenses of 10 New Jersey bars and restaurants accused of violating the heightened restrictions placed on eating and drinking establishments by Governor Murphy last month.<\/p>\n

The announcement of charges comes amid a statewide ABC enforcement campaign to ensure its licensees are complying with the Governor\u2019s Executive Order No. 194 (2020) (\u201cEO 194\u201d), which, among other things, imposes a cessation of indoor food and beverage services between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and prohibits patrons from being seated at an indoor bar at all times. The restrictions were imposed by Governor Murphy in an effort to reduce the sustained close contact that results from patrons seated at indoor bar areas.<\/p>\n

Since EO 194 took effect on November 12, 2020, teams of investigators from ABC, the Division of Criminal Justice, and local law enforcement agencies have been carrying out inspection sweeps of bars and restaurants statewide to enforce compliance and protect public health. The charges announced today, which carry a minimum 10-day suspension for each licensee, represent the first enforcement actions issued in the statewide compliance campaign. More charges are expected.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives us no pleasure to take these actions, but we\u2019re in the midst of a pandemic and we need everyone in this state to do their part,\u201d said Attorney General Grewal. \u201cResults of our enforcement sweeps thus far demonstrate that the majority of licensees are following the Governor\u2019s orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those who flout curfews, seating restrictions, face covering mandates, and other mitigation measures will face consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

ABC has led investigations resulting in nearly 500 random inspections of bars and restaurants to ensure compliance with the restrictions imposed under EO 194, and with other COVID-19 protocols required under prior Executive Orders.<\/p>\n

Nearly 90 percent of the establishments inspected were found to be in compliance.<\/p>\n

The COVID-19-related charges announced today stem from violations of Executive Orders requiring establishments to prohibit seating patrons at indoor bars; cease serving food and alcohol indoors at 10 p.m.; limit the number of patrons allowed in indoor areas to 25 percent of the establishment\u2019s indoor capacity; enforce face covering requirements for patrons and employees; prohibit the consumption of food and alcohol by patrons who are not seated at a table; maintain a six-foot minimum distance between dining tables; and enforce social distancing among employees and patrons.<\/p>\n

Charges have been issued against the entities holding liquor licenses for the following establishments:<\/p>\n