HOBOKEN, N.J. (WCBS 880) — Bars and restaurants in Jersey City and Hoboken will be operating at normal business hours beginning this weekend, after a 10 p.m. curfew on businesses was lifted on Wednesday.
In a joint statement, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said they will be lifting the 10 p.m. curfews on bars and restaurants after Gov. Phil Murphy provided new guidance for indoor dining and other limitations.
“Based on guidance provided by Governor Murphy and the State of New Jersey, we have made the joint decision to allow bars and restaurants to operate during normal, regular business hours without a local curfew,” the two mayors said in a statement.
Businesses, however, must continue to follow capacity limitations and social distancing requirements.
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Hoboken Mayor Bhalla says he’s cautiously optimistic that the local business community will comply with the protocols still in place.
“This is the chance for the hospitality industry to really prove and demonstrate that they are responsible enough and capable to upgrade these businesses under these regulations,” he said.
Both mayors say law enforcement and city staff will be “aggressively monitoring all bars and restaurants during overnight hours to ensure COVID-19 safety precautions are being taken at all times.”
The cities say they are acting jointly to prevent night crowds from flocking to the other city if one stays open later than the other.
“Because Hoboken and Jersey City are desired destinations for night life, the mayor and I decided to take a regal approach and make sure that the guidelines were clear and consistent for everyone,” Mayor Bhalla said.
Establishments that do not adhere to safety protocols will face “immediate penalties,” according to the mayors who say that included being shut down and being fined.
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