Roots Steakhouse In Summit Reopens, Another Restaurant Closes

Caren Lissner
Updated ·5 min read

SUMMIT, NJ — A Summit steak house that had closed temporarily due to coronavirus concerns has reopened, but another restaurant in town has temporarily closed.

Two weeks ago, health officials in Union County advised patrons of Roots Steakhouse to get a coronavirus antigen test "immediately" if they spent time in the bar area between Nov. 3 and Thursday. The restaurant closed for at least two weeks.

The eatery, when reached by phone, confirmed that they reopened on Saturday.

Meanwhile, as of Saturday, The Office Grill in Summit is closed temporarily.

"Unfortunately today we learned that a few of our Summit Office Tavern Grill Team Members have tested positive for COVID-19," they posted on Instagram. "Out of an abundance of caution and for everyone’s safety, we are temporarily closing our Summit Office Tavern Grill location. All Team Members are being tested for COVID-19 and the restaurant will be thoroughly cleaned adhering to our standard daily procedures which follow CDC recommended guidelines.We appreciate your continued support and are thankful for each and every one of YOU and we look forward to serving you again soon."

Currently, indoor dining at restaurants — limited to 25 percent capacity — must end at 10 p.m. each night, and patrons can no longer be seated at bars. Eateries can still serve outdoors after 10 p.m. The rules are part of the new Executive Order 194.

Statistics

On Saturday, the city of Summit said that the Westfield Regional Health Department reported a total of 51 positive COVID-19 cases among Summit residents from Friday, Nov. 20 through Wednesday, Nov. 25.

This is a big difference from August, when the city had fewer than 10 cases in a month.

In New Jersey, 18 Summit residents have died from the virus, the most recent a 102-year-old woman in October.

Approximately 22,000 people live in Summit.

Before Thanksgiving, Gov. Phil Murphy announced 4,383 new positive cases and 48 more confirmed fatalities in New Jersey since the day before — the highest daily increases since mid-July. The risk has risen to "high" in 18 of 21 New Jersey counties.

At the height of the crisis in New Jersey, 460 people died from the virus in 24 hours on April 30. READ MORE: 'I Cannot Get Air': When Local Woman Begged For Coronavirus Test

More than 266,000 Americans and 14,500 people in New Jersey have died from the virus so far.

Here are some other Summit coronavirus updates and testing information:

SCHOOLS

HOW TO GET TESTED

  • Union County has added mobile walk-up test sites in addition to the drive-through testing site located at Kean University. Testing is free for Union County residents and is by appointment only with no car required; participants must wear masks and observe social distance. Any Union County resident can make an appointment for a test, whether they have symptoms. To pick a location, date and time, and to make an appointment online, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update/walk-up.

  • Union County residents who need to make an appointment by phone can call 908-518-4307 for assistance. Non-profit organizations and other community groups can call the Union County Office of Emergency Management at 908-654-9881 to request a visit from the Mobile Test Unit.

NATIONAL STATISTICS

Use this link to see the updated fatality count in the United States.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH HEAT, RENT, AND MORE

  • During the State of Emergency in New Jersey, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent. Talk to your local mayor's office if you are experiencing difficulties.

  • The CARES act has made money available to help with rent in each city. More information is here.

  • New Jersey residents can get help with heating and energy bills. Information is here.

  • Various other avenues of relief and benefits have also been made available, including family leave for 12 weeks if you can't work due to your child's school or camp being closed, and changes to unemployment rules to help those who were at a job for a short time, or freelancing.

  • Programs are being added constantly, so don't think you can't get help. Reach out to your local mayor's office to find out what kind of funds may be available to help you get through this time.

LONG-TERM CARE

  • Recently, there were 159 long term care facilities with active outbreaks, the state Department of Health said this month. The state also announced that deaths at the facilities had more than doubled since May 1. The state has stopped updating the numbers at facilities without current outbreaks.

  • New Jersey residents were already alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities. The state announced plans in May to increase testing at some long term care facilities and to bring in the National Guard temporarily to help make changes.

  • The state released death toll statistics late in spring for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.

  • You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.

  • Some New Jersey long-term care facilities reopened for limited visits, with precautions, in July.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

  • NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/

  • General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1

  • NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

Got news? Email Caren.Lissner@patch.com. Want to be the first to get news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning? Sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.

This article originally appeared on the Summit Patch