Indoor dining resumes Friday in New Jersey; masks, social distancing required
MULLICA HILL, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Indoor dining resumes Friday in New Jersey, just in time for the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Restaurants can operate at 25% indoor capacity, with a maximum of eight people per table, unless they are from the same household.
Masks are required for employees and customers at all times, except while they are eating or drinking at their tables.
At Monarch Diner in Glassboro, Rich and Kathy Burke of Washington Township were back at their usual table for their usual Friday breakfast, and they could not have been happier.
"Love it- yes- because we've been waiting a long time now," exclaimed Kathy Burke.
Rich Burke added, "We're able to order now, and not worry about the flies- anything else happening around us."
Owner Paul Tsiknakis explains they have taped off seats and closed down tables, taking a number of other precautions.
"We understand that the pandemic has hit home very hard especially in NJ, and we're part of the solution, and we're doing our best to keep everybody safe. I think 25%- we'll take it," Tsiknakis emphasized.
Blueplate in Mullica Hill opened at 6 a.m.
"We've been waiting for this since March," exclaimed owner and chef Jim Malaby.
Blueplate will continue to also offer outdoor dining and pick-up as they welcome customers inside.
"25% isn't enough for us to operate. Luckily enough, we have some outdoor dining that's been keeping us afloat since this. When the weather changes it will become more of a problem," Malaby explained.
Loyal customers wasted no time in getting their seats.
"I got the peach pancakes with crumble in them, which are fabulous," recommended Kathy McKee of Turnersville.
Her husband Jerry McKee added, "I'm glad that it's opening up a little bit so these people can get back to work."
