TRENTON, NJ – When this all began, things sort of made sense. Flatten the curve to prevent our healthcare system from collapsing. Now, as governors in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, California and yes, especially here in New Jersey continue their competition of incompetence and inconsistency, what the hell is this? Today, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced outdoor dining in his state’s restaurants can resume on June 5th.
Now, let’s keep in mind, this is all based purely on science and nothing else.
Just across the river, Governor Phil Murphy is still shutting down and criminally charging businesses who dare such a move, citing “We just aren’t there yet.” In fact, Murphy just shut down an al fresco drinking district in North Wildwood.
How the hell does the science in Pennsylvania support outdoor dining, but a two-minute drive east across the Delaware River, outdoor dining will kill everyone and restart the global pandemic?
Beginning June 5, restaurants and retail foodservice businesses in Pennsylvania located in counties designated as being in the yellow phase are permitted to add dine-in service in outdoor seating areas so long as they strictly adhere to the requirements of the guidance, including maximum occupancy limits:
- Indoor areas, including bar areas, restaurants, and retail food service businesses must be closed to customers except for through-traffic. Non-bar seating in outdoor areas (i.e., tables or counter seats that do not line up to a bar or food service area) may be used for customer seating.
- Customers being served must be seated at a table.
Prohibitions are also included. The following are not permitted:
- Self-service food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, condiments, and drink stations.
- Condiments on tables; these must be dispensed by employees upon the request of a customer.
- Reusable menus.
- Refilling food and beverage containers or allowing implements brought in by customers.
Meanwhile, across the bridge, the science supports going to the local bar and sitting on the curb drinking professionally made cocktails from red solo cups.
Photo by Ryan Plomp on Unsplash