Gov. Murphy Rebukes Asbury Park After Indoor Dining, Bars Reopen

UPDATE: Gov. Phil Murphy said his administration will be filing a lawsuit against Asbury Park. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Sue Asbury Park For Reopening Amid Coronavirus

ASBURY PARK – The City Council voted on Wednesday to allow indoor dining in restaurants and bars starting on Monday, drawing a sharp rebuke from Gov. Phil Murphy who said the actions could undo the progress the state has made.

"We have come too far, folks, to see all the good 9 million New Jerseyans have done undone in haste," Murphy said during his Thursday news conference.

The governor didn't say what specific actions he'll take against Asbury Park and others who have violated his orders, only saying the state will enforce its "indoor" dining ban in the city and elsewhere. He also said the Tilton Square Theatre in Northfield has reopened against his orders.

Murphy also said the city took steps that are "inconsistent" with his executive order that have banned indoor dining from reopening amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Asbury Park officials say they opened up the bars and restaurants because they're worried about the impact of the shutdowns on businesses, noting that the Modine restaurant is shutting its doors.

The bars and restaurants must have 25 percent capacity or no more than 50 people in order to operate in Asbury Park.

Murphy, however, said New Jersey "cannot have communities mirroring the cavalier actions in other states."

"We have lived this already folks. We don't want to go living it again," he said. "We've gone through hell. Let's please not go back through it."

Murphy plans to open indoor retail on Monday, but he hasn't given a date on bars and restaurants.

Murphy's words came as he's drawn criticism for what Republicans say is violating his own orders and participating in protests in Westfield and elsewhere. Thousands of people have attended these protests, Republicans say, and there has been little social distancing that Murphy has required for gatherings.

Asbury Park says it will allow businesses to operate indoor food and beverage service with a capacity limit as outlined in Murphy’s Executive Order No. 152 regarding indoor gatherings.

Restaurants must comply with all requirements as outlined in Murphy’s Executive Order No. 152 and Executive Order No. 150, including wearing face coverings, remaining 6 feet apart at all times, and not allowing the sharing of physical items by multiple attendees as well as sanitizing items before and after uses.

While council has approved indoor food and beverage service with restrictions, the city says businesses should be aware this could be overruled by the state of New Jersey.

Indeed, some restaurants told NJ Advance Media and The Asbury Park Press that they're reluctant to open their doors and face possible fines.

Since Murphy has not yet allowed indoor dining, participating businesses could be considered in violation of executive orders and may be subject to fines, the city says.

“As we begin to reopen, it’s important for us to focus on all areas of the city when providing opportunities for our businesses to succeed and for our residents to enjoy their neighborhoods,” said Mayor John Moor. “We will continually assess the plan over the next few weeks as conditions evolve during the pandemic and as we learn about what is working, and what is not, and will make adjustments accordingly.”

“We are excited to reopen Asbury Park,” said Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn. “COVID-19 has had an enormous impact on our community. As council, it is our responsibility to do everything that we can to help our struggling businesses rebuild while keeping our residents and visitors safe during this pandemic. The governor’s Executive Order No. 152 already allows indoor gatherings of up to 50 people and we simply decided to extend it to food and beverage service.”

New Jersey has a long set of rules for outside and inside gatherings, but you may be surprised by what the Murphy administration is now allowing. Read more: New NJ Coronavirus Rules: Here's What Can Be Done Inside, Outside

Murphy has been releasing "hard dates" and more specifics on New Jersey's plans to reopen its economy, schools, daycare, summer camps and public transit during the coronavirus crisis. And he was expected to provide more details over the course of June. Read more: Gov. Murphy: 'Hard Dates' In NJ Coronavirus Reopening Blueprint

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.