LBI Bar Hosted Large Crowds, Maskless Patrons: Police
BEACH HAVEN, NJ — A popular Long Beach Island bar and restaurant failed to follow social-distancing guidelines and let customers go without masks, according to Beach Haven police. Tom Hughes, owner of Sea Shell Resort and Beach Club, was issued a summons Monday for violating Governor Phil Murphy's executive orders relating to the coronavirus.
Authorities observed the alleged violation at 5:14 p.m. Saturday and issued the summons under the advisement of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, according to Capt. Tom Medel.
Patch contacted the Sea Shell Resort and Beach Club and did not immediate receive comment.
Murphy has criticized bars that have allegedly failed to reduce crowds and meet coronavirus guidelines. He called out several Jersey Shore bars during his Monday news conference after photos surfaced of patrons failing to social distance last weekend.
The governor specifically mentioned Jenkinson's at Point Pleasant Beach, D'Jais in Belmar and Donovan's Reef in Sea Bright.
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"If we have to shut places down to protect public health, then we will," Murphy said.
Murphy said standing around maskless outside a bar "is just as big of a knucklehead move as it is standing around maskless inside one." Read more: Gov. Murphy: Jenkinson's Will 'Shut' If Patrons Don't Behave
Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know
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This article originally appeared on the Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch
