ATLANTIC COUNTY DEMOCRATS URGE GOVERNOR TO ALLOW INDOOR DINING IN ATLANTIC COUNTY

Democrats Cite Low COVID Numbers & Huge Reliance on Tourism

(Absecon) The Atlantic County Democratic ticket of Sheriff Eric Scheffler, Surrogate candidate Stephen Dicht, Freeholder Caren Fitzpatrick, Freeholder-at-Large candidate Celeste Fernandez, and Freeholder District 3 candidate Thelma Witherspoon urged the Governor to reopen indoor dining this Thursday, July 2:

“The Governor did a great job during the immediate outbreak of COVID-19 to flatten the curve, which kept our numbers low in Atlantic County. Since that time, our business owners and residents have by-and-large adhered to social distancing measures, including wearing masks, keeping restaurants and retail establishments clean, and reporting the few businesses that aren’t compliant.

“While we appreciate the Governor’s efforts thus far, his decision to suspend indoor dining will do serious damage to our economy. Tourism is by far our main economic driver, and Atlantic County has been cited as one of the regions most devastated by COVID-19. The Borgata has already decided to stay closed due to the Governor’s decision. Many businesses, including casinos, have spent vast sums of money to buy food, rearrange establishments, and rehire employees to get ready for Fourth of July weekend, but now Atlantic County is being punished for the recklessness of a few bars in a North Jersey county.

“The state should not penalize Atlantic County just because of a few bad actors. If some restaurants and casinos don’t adhere to social distancing, then they should be closed, but the overwhelming majority of businesses in Atlantic County will reopen responsibly. We lived through the casino closings of 2014, one of the most economically-devastating periods in our history, and we can’t go through that again. We are urging the Governor to restore indoor dining in Atlantic County.”