Inside dining squashed for now by court order, lawsuit in Asbury Park

The council’s resolution was in direct violation of Gov. Phil Murphy's executive order, which only allows only outdoor seating beginning Monday.

News 12 Staff

Jun 13, 2020, 9:21 PM

Updated 1,578 days ago

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Three days after the City Council in Asbury Park voted to allow restaurants to open indoor seating, Gov. Phil Murphy filed a lawsuit, and now city officials are back tracking.
The council’s resolution was in direct violation of Gov. Phil Murphy's executive order, which only allows only outdoor seating beginning Monday.
The governor’s lawsuit was followed by a court order temporarily stopping restaurants from opening indoors.
James Avery, the owner of the Bonnie Reade on Cookman Avenue, says with takeout and alcohol sales, he is only making about one-tenth of the profits his restaurant usually makes.
“You can have a ton of people at Home Depot, Wawa, gatherings of 15 inside…We know how to keep people safe, that's what we do,” says Avery.
He says there should be no issue with inside dining as long as social distancing measures are in place and masks are worn.
Gov. Murphy said in a tweet that his decisions are based on one principle: ensuring people stay healthy.
The court order temporarily banning indoor dining is in effect until July 10.