O'scanlon says science doesn't backup murphy's 10 pm curfew on bars and restaurants

O’Scanlon says science doesn’t backup Murphy’s 10 pm curfew on bars and restaurants

by
March 3, 2021
·

FREEHOLD, NJ – Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) today renewed his call for Governor Phil Murphy to remove the 10 p.m. indoor dining curfew.

“Our restaurants have been suffering massive economic hits since March with seemingly no end in sight to 25% capacity restrictions and the 10 p.m. indoor dining curfew. But time and again the industry has proven that they are not the nexus for new COVID-19 outbreaks,” said O’Scanlon. “Restaurants as a whole have followed the rules and restrictions laid out for them, they’ve endeavored to make their establishments as safe as possible to protect their patrons and staff. They deserve an increase in capacity to 50% (at 25% now) and the removal of the curfew evidenced by the lack of outbreaks traced back to restaurants.”

In early November the administration signed an executive order barring restaurants, bars, and other establishments from operating indoor dining between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

“We need to take this action before the Super Bowl. Possibly throwing diners out during the 4th quarter is sure to cause many who might have gone to an establishment to watch the game–to stay home or go to an unregulated, large house party instead. The exact opposite of what we should be encouraging right now. If you look at the metrics of the other northeast states, there is no correlation overall for the 25-50% capacity and number of cases. Even with our business killing, draconian 25% limit we fare no better than our surrounding northeast states from a health perspective.”

O’Scanlon has been an outspoken critic of the Governor’s continued imposition of 25% indoor dining capacity along with the 10 p.m. curfew.

“As we’ve said time and again, we should be encouraging people to go to restaurants that have ventilation and safety measures in place instead of congregating in large groups in private house settings. We have a consistent record in the state of stabilizing our rate of transmission and further, of contact tracing that shows definitively that restaurants are not the source of new outbreaks. They have been struggling for months, patiently implementing new safety protocols and complying with the administration’s executive orders. If anyone has proven they are deserving–and capable–of some safe restriction removal, it’s this industry.”

Phil Stilton
Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

  1. New Jersey Town Where ICE Agent Was Run Down Passes Resolution Urging Repeal of Sanctuary State Policies
  2. New Jersey Dem Lawmakers Move to Expand Assault Rifle Ban As Court Rules Existing Law Unconstitutional
  3. FIFA Is Now Selling World Cup Grass Paid for by New Jersey Taxpayers
  4. Flood Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Risk, and Possible EF2 Tornado Threat Across New Jersey Today