Caldwell Bar Closing For 2 Weeks; Says Patron Tested For COVID-19

CALDWELL, NJ — A Caldwell bar will close for two weeks after a repeat customer tested positive for the coronavirus, it announced Friday.

The Ringside Pub posted the following message about the closure on social media:

“Out of caution we will be closed for two weeks. A patron that was in the bar Sunday, Nov. 8 and Wednesday, Nov. 11 has tested positive for COVID-19. We will take this time to deep clean and sanitize.”

The pub followed up with a short comment:

“Thanks everyone for the DMs. We care about our staff and our customers, this is all out of precaution! Thank you.”

A supporter thanked the bar, and said it was being upfront and responsible after learning about the positive test.

“You guys are awesome for doing this and for letting everyone know,” they wrote. “This is why I love this place. Thank you, can't wait to be back.”

Bars and restaurants in New Jersey are facing new coronavirus restrictions, which include a 10 p.m. curfew and a ban on barside seating. Outdoor dining, takeout and delivery services can continue beyond 10 p.m., and enclosed, heated tents can be put up outside.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced the new rules last week amid a rise in COVID-19 cases across the state.

• See related article: Gov. Murphy To Impose New NJ Restrictions As COVID-19 Cases Spike

A pair of state legislators who represent the Caldwells have accused Murphy of hamstringing local businesses with the new rules, which are having a hard time surviving amid the pandemic as it is.

Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (District 26), who represents towns including Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell, said Murphy is taking a "shotgun" approach to the situation, but needs to use a "scalpel" instead.

For example, Murphy's latest decision requires virtually all restaurants to erect plexiglass barriers around dining tables that are less than six feet apart – and greater restrictions on bar areas, DeCroce said. But the cost of those barriers is prohibitive for many small restaurants that are barely making ends meet now, she added.

"State officials need to start thinking about what our community landscape is going to look like, and what our state economy is going to look like when we pull out of the pandemic," DeCroce said. "We don't want to leave behind a barren wasteland of closed businesses and broken dreams."

Sen. Joe Pennacchio, who also represents District 26, also blasted Gov. Murphy's latest curfew for restaurants and bars, saying it's "just another random edict" amid the pandemic.

"Is the governor suggesting diners are more susceptible to the virus later in the night?" Pennacchio questioned. "Unjustified restrictions like this crippled New Jersey's economy earlier this year. We can't let this happen again."

Essex County, which includes the Caldwells, has been one of the hardest-hit areas in New Jersey when it comes to COVID-19. As of Monday, the county led the state in cumulative cases, with 30,216, and confirmed deaths linked to the disease, with 1,942.

According to Essex County officials, here are the cumulative COVID-19 totals for the Caldwells, as of Monday:

• Caldwell – 180 cases, 11 deaths
• North Caldwell – 98 cases, 5 deaths
• West Caldwell – 373 cases, 50 deaths

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