Bucco: Murphy to blame for permanent restaurant closures

State Sen. Tony Bucco (R-Boonton) said Gov. Phil Murphy is to blame for permanent restaurant closures fueled by the COVID-19 crisis.

“This is real life, and the Governor is letting it happen,” Bucco said. “I’ve heard of seven restaurants that can’t hold on, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Businesses are dying, dreams are fading, jobs are being lost and the Governor has done little to help.”

Indoor dining was set to return to the state on June 2, but Murphy pulled those reopenings back over concerns that indoor activities were fueling a resurgence of the virus in New Jersey.

In the interim, the state’s average number of new daily COVID-19 cases has risen along with the rate of virus transmission, prompting Murphy to reduce the maximum indoor gathering limit from 100 to 25, though indoor gatherings are still limited to 25% capacity, if that number is lower.

“It was a devastating blow for thousands of businesses barely holding on financially after months of restrictions,” Bucco said. “This policy flip added insult to injury to businesses that desperately needed to re-open and invested heavily in perishable supplies to feed customers. It was a cruel twist, and many operations have never recovered.”

Bucco is seeking to give restaurants a helping hand using Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act monies.

“This week, we are seeing the results of the administration’s apathy toward the job-creators that New Jerseyans depend on,” he said. “Restaurants closing, unemployment numbers rising again, feelings of desperation and hopelessness on Main Streets and business districts across the state is a bad sign for New Jersey. The Governor needs to turn this around before it’s too late.”