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Contact: Karen Geisel, NJRHA
(518) 421-3435 TRENTON, NJ – Representatives from New Jersey’s largest venue and restaurant owners, and the NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA) spoke out today about how the COVID-19 pandemic is shattering the state’s largest private-sector employer. The group presented a new safe dining plan with enhanced sanitation protocols, discussed the challenges of outdoor dining, fall predictions, and highlighted their Industry’s economic and community impact which will be presented through a 30-day #IServeJersey social media campaign. “Sadly, current estimates suggest 30 percent of restaurants that make up the culture and personality of our state will close,” said Marilou Halvorsen, president of NJRHA, “Hit even harder, are our state’s largest wedding venues. Their complete closure has led to a ripple effect in the industry, where professionals like photographers, videographers, florists, and musicians, to name a few, are all out of work,” she added. Late June, the governor indefinitely reversed the opening of indoor dining a few days before it was to happen. This surprising shift has resulted in heightened emotional and financial hardships for all, especially now that the midway point of summer has passed – this industry’s most robust time for partial economic recovery. Meanwhile, the industry quickly responded and tightened their safe dining plan to include more enhanced sanitation efforts for less people with more social distancing, in hopes of cracking the door on reopening indoor dining and activities soon, to no avail. Recently an uptick in COVID-19 cases, the highest since early June has been attributed by the governor as a result of indoor house parties and other unruly gatherings hosted by young people, where masks or social distancing were not adhered.
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WHO:
Marilou Halvorsen, President/CEO, NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA) Marilyn Schlossbach, 2020 NJRHA Chairwoman & owner Langosta Lounge, Asbury Park Jeanne Cretella, Landmark Hospitality Bob Wagner, Ott’s Tavern and Braddock’s Tom Daidone, The Estate at Florentine Gardens TOPICS: Safe Dining Plan and sanitation protocols Industry contributions to community & economy Financial impact Predictions for fall #IServeJersey Campaign WHERE: “Virtual” Press Conference (media only) Register in advance at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G40U4SQBTkmyC6huIlRwqw Note: All other individuals may participate via NJRHA Facebook Live WHEN: Monday, August 3rd 10:00am – 11:00am WHY: The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated New Jersey’s hospitality industry, our state’s largest private sector employer. As of now, current estimates suggest 30% of restaurants that make up the culture and personality of our state will close. Hit even harder, are the state’s largest wedding venues. Their closure has led to a ripple effect in the industry, where professionals like photographers, videographers, florists, and musicians, to name a few, are all out of work. The governor’s indefinite reversal of indoor dining in late June has resulted in more economic and emotional hardships as we pass the midway point of summer – this industry’s most robust time for partial economic recovery. The NJRHA president and chairwoman, along with several large venue and restaurant owners from around the state will discuss the latest indoor dining proposal (with new restrictions), the battles of outdoor dining and celebrations, fall predictions, economic fears and the launch of a #IServeJersey 30-day social media campaign to highlight those struggling in the industry. # # # |
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