Tag:

COVID-19 restrictions

Pittsfield, MA
News
COVID-19: Here's How Many Massachusetts Residents Are Fully Vaccinated, Other New Data COVID-19: Here's How Many Massachusetts Residents Are Fully Vaccinated, Other New Data
Covid-19: Here's How Many Massachusetts Residents Are Fully Vaccinated, Other New Data Massachusetts reached a new milestone in its quest to administer COVID-19 vaccines to millions of eligible adults before the summer. The commonwealth has now vaccinated more than 3.5 million people, as the total who are fully vaccinated hit 3,520,075 since the pandemic began, up nearly 40,000 from the previous day. By comparison, it took the state until Friday, March 19 to hit the one million vaccine benchmark, and less than a month to hit two million on Saturday, April 17. The state reported more than three million approximately two weeks ago. A total of 7,634,963 COVID-19 vaccine doses h…

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by Zak Failla
Elizabeth, NJ
News
Ditch The Face Mask, Hit The Dance Floor: NJ Relaxes COVID Guidelines Ditch The Face Mask, Hit The Dance Floor: NJ Relaxes COVID Guidelines
Ditch The Face Mask, Hit The Dance Floor: NJ Relaxes COVID Guidelines Social distancing and face mask requirements are so last year -- at least in New Jersey. Come this Friday, face masks will no longer be required at most public indoor spaces in the Garden Sate, and social distancing will no longer be required, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday. Dance floors at bars and restaurants will also be allowed to reopen come and alcohol can be served at bars again on May 28, Murphy said. On Friday, June 4, all indoor and outdoor gathering limits will be lifted. The new regulations come several weeks after the CDC relaxed their face mask guidelines.  "I am proud t…

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by Cecilia Levine
Pittsfield, MA
Lifestyle
Fresh Menu, Unique Drinks Praised At Berkshires' Gastropub Fresh Menu, Unique Drinks Praised At Berkshires' Gastropub
Fresh Menu, Unique Drinks Praised At Berkshires' Gastropub The concrete slabs and iron-looking frames around dark windows that make up the District Bar & Kitchen’s exterior belie the warm and upscale-casual atmosphere inside. District on West Stree in Pittsfield serves modern American cuisine influenced by the eccentric gastropub movement. If you want rosemary in your cocktails, chorizo on your nachos, and truffles on your fries, this is the place to be. And, yes, I want all of that. District has been around since the mid-2010s and is owned by the same man who owns Public Eat + Drink in North Adams - Jared Decoteau. The menu is slim and r…

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by Kristin Palpini
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Business
Popular Morristown Pub Temporarily Shutters Popular Morristown Pub Temporarily Shutters
Popular Morristown Pub Temporarily Shutters A popular pub in Morristown has temporarily shuttered due to the frigid outdoor dining temperatures and the ongoing indoor capacity limits. Dublin Pub on Pine Street will close its doors “for the time being” on Wednesday, according to a post on the eatery’s Facebook page. “We feel this is the best decision,” the post says. The closure is short-term, since the pub plans to reopen ahead of St. Patrick’s Day for a “week long” celebration. “A special thank you to our loyal customers,” concludes the post. “Be well. Stay safe. We will see you in March!”

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by Valerie Musson
Springfield, MA
Business
Route 20 Bank Branch Seeks Permission To Close/Consolidate Route 20 Bank Branch Seeks Permission To Close/Consolidate
Route 20 Bank Branch Seeks Permission To Close/Consolidate Berkshire Bank has started the process to close 16 regional branches -a a key part of the financial institution's plan to do more business online instead of in-person. Parent company Berkshire Hills Bancorp has petitioned the Massachusetts Division of Banks for permission to close a branch office at 2005 Boston Road (Route 20) in Wilbraham and to consolidate the closing office with an existing branch on Center Street in Ludlow, according to a recent public notice. Any objections to this plan must be made in writing to the Commissioner of Banks in Boston no later than two weeks from Dec. 24…

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by Kristin Palpini
Paterson, NJ
News
'Disaster Waiting To Happen': Paterson PD Raids Illegal After-Hours Club Rife With Violations 'Disaster Waiting To Happen': Paterson PD Raids Illegal After-Hours Club Rife With Violations
'Disaster Waiting To Happen': Paterson PD Raids Illegal After-Hours Club Rife With Violations Maskless patrons and employees scrambled to hide evidence when Paterson police raided an illegal after-hours club that had become a death trap, authorities said. Police found the door to La Café Hookah on Market Street locked when they showed up around 10:30 p.m. Saturday – a full half-hour after Gov. Phil Murphy’s COVID curfew required them to close, Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said. City officers looking through tinted windows saw people “scrambling inside removing hookahs and bottles of alcohol and taking them out a back door that led to a small area with no exit,” Speziale sai…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Jersey City, NJ
News
North Jersey Mom Left Brain Damaged After C-Section, Family Piecing Together What Went Wrong North Jersey Mom Left Brain Damaged After C-Section, Family Piecing Together What Went Wrong
North Jersey Mom Left Brain Damaged After C-Section, Family Piecing Together What Went Wrong Estefania Mesa was cheerful and excited to deliver her first baby as she was wheeled in for an emergency C-section at Hoboken University Medical Center on July 20. But that joyful moment never came for 28-year-old Mesa, who went into cardiac arrest on the operating table, causing a severe lack of oxygen to her brain for nearly nine minutes, family and friends told Daily Voice. The North Bergen mom has been in a vegetative state ever since, and her loved ones are struggling to understand where things went wrong. Despite a court order to release medical records from Mesa's procedure, Hoboke…

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by Cecilia Levine
Jersey City, NJ
News
Liquor Licenses Of 10 New Jersey Bars Suspended Over 'Knucklehead Behavior' Liquor Licenses Of 10 New Jersey Bars Suspended Over 'Knucklehead Behavior'
Liquor Licenses Of 10 New Jersey Bars Suspended Over 'Knucklehead Behavior' Ten New Jersey bars could have their liquor licenses suspended for violations of the state's public health executive orders, officials said. The violations were reportedly found during a campaign by the state's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to make sure establishments are following Gov. Phil Murphy's most recent order, which closes indoor food and beverage services between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The order also bans bar-side seating, and maintains the enforcement of mask-waring and social distancing. "It gives us no pleasure to file these charges, but our job is to protect both pu…

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by Cecilia Levine
Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes, NJ
News
Oakland Restaurant Facing Consequences For Pre-Thanksgiving Bash Oakland Restaurant Facing Consequences For Pre-Thanksgiving Bash
Oakland Restaurant Facing Consequences For Pre-Thanksgiving Bash An Oakland restaurant is facing consequences for a pre-Thanksgiving bash featuring dozens of mask-less patrons. A photo of dozens of people gathered Wednesday night outside Portabellos Restaurant was the impetus for an emergency council meeting Monday evening. During the 6 p.m. meeting, Oakland council members voted in favor of shutting down the Ramapo Valley Road's outdoor dining license at 4 p.m. daily, for 30 days. "We cannot allow this to happen," Oakland Mayor Linda Schwager said after seeing the photo from last Wednesday's event. "This was a violation of the Governor’s Executive Ord…

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by Cecilia Levine
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Lifestyle
PHOTOS: Morristown Restaurant's Outdoor Heated Igloos Combat New COVID-19 Restrictions PHOTOS: Morristown Restaurant's Outdoor Heated Igloos Combat New COVID-19 Restrictions
Photos: Morristown Restaurant's Outdoor Heated Igloos Combat New Covid-19 Restrictions A modern Mediterranean eatery in Morristown is combatting New Jersey's new COVID-19 restrictions with an innovative eating arrangement: Igloos. Gov. Phil Murphy Monday announced restaurants, bars, clubs and lounges must close indoor dining at 10 p.m.  Outdoor dining may continue, he said, and igloos are allowed. This will be the second year that Fig & Lily Garden on Cattano Avenue will have the heated bubbles. A modern Mediterranean eatery in Morristown is offering guests the unique chance to dine in heated outdoor “igloos” throughout the fall and winter seasons.Fig & Lily Gard…

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by Valerie Musson
Torrington, CT
News
COVID-19: CT College Sends 20 Students Home Following Halloween Party COVID-19: CT College Sends 20 Students Home Following Halloween Party
Covid-19: CT College Sends 20 Students Home Following Halloween Party More than 20 students at Quinnipiac University in Hamden have been sent home after they attended a large Halloween party, violating the school's COVID-19 restrictions. The college's President Judy Olian and Chief Experience Officer Tom Ellett said in a letter to parents and the community said the students were sent home for the remainder of the semester. The party, attended by students from multiple universities, was held on Thursday, Oct. 29, at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven, the school officials said. "We have verified that among the attendees were students from QU, that masks were n…

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by Kathy Reakes
Middletown-Wallkill, NY
News
COVID-19: Orange County 'Red Zone' Will Shift To Orange; Rockland Statuses Remain Same COVID-19: Orange County 'Red Zone' Will Shift To Orange; Rockland Statuses Remain Same
Covid-19: Orange County 'Red Zone' Will Shift To Orange; Rockland Statuses Remain Same Restrictions are being eased up in some of the Orange County COVID-19 micro-clusters, though there was no relief for those in the Rockland County hotspots. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the “Red Zone” micro-cluster area in Orange County has met the metrics to be downgraded to “Orange Warning Zone” after seeing the positivity rate drop from 12 percent to 2 percent in three weeks. Cuomo noted that the new daily hospital admissions have flattened after hospitalizations saw a small spike in recent weeks. “In terms of adjustments of the micro-clusters, Orange County has made very go…

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by Zak Failla
Springfield, MA
Business
Makers Of Mango-Milkshake IPA Opening Brewery In Western Mass Makers Of Mango-Milkshake IPA Opening Brewery In Western Mass
Makers Of Mango-Milkshake IPA Opening Brewery In Western Mass A new craft brewery is opening a taproom in Western Massachusetts. 1 Way Brewing’s building plans for a brewery and taproom at 807 Maple Rd. in Longmeadow have been approved by the town's Zoning Board. 1 Way has been around the Pioneer Valley for a while - popping up at events like Brew At the Zoo, Whip City CT River Brewfest, and The Worthy. But now, owners Jason Tsitso and Zach Schwartz have a brick and mortar place to brew and serve customers. Among 1 Way’s signature beers are a mango milkshake IPA, a New England IPA, and a breakfast coffee milk stout. In addition to brewing, Schwart…

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by Kristin Palpini
Hartford, CT
Business
Starting Thursday, Towns Can Roll Back COVID-19 Restrictions To Phase 2 Starting Thursday, Towns Can Roll Back COVID-19 Restrictions To Phase 2
Starting Thursday, Towns Can Roll Back Covid-19 Restrictions To Phase 2 Cities and towns will soon be able to make their own decisions on whether to loosen COVID-19 restrictions as Connecticut moves forward with reopening the economy. On Tuesday, Oct. 13, Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order giving community leaders the power to go back to “phase 2” of reopening their local economies if COVID-19 infections spike there.  This means cities and towns could choose to go back to COVID-19 restrictions that were in place prior to Oct. 8. Such restrictions included smaller caps on gatherings and fewer activities. Towns can put the brakes on reopening if thei…

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by Kristin Palpini
Massapequa, NY
Business
COVID-19: Long Island Business Fined After Hosting Party Leading To Cluster Of Cases COVID-19: Long Island Business Fined After Hosting Party Leading To Cluster Of Cases
Covid-19: Long Island Business Fined After Hosting Party Leading To Cluster Of Cases A Long Island venue was fined thousands of dollars after hosting a party in violation of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions that led to dozens contracting the virus. On Friday, Sept. 25, the Miller Place Inn hosted a Sweet 16 party with 81 guests, exceeding the state’s mandate of no more than 50 people gathering indoors at any given time. Of the 81 guests - 49 students and 32 adults - 37 positive cases - 28 students and nine adults - contracted COVID-19, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. The Suffolk County Department of Health conducted contact tracing, which led them to 334 peop…

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by Zak Failla
White Plains, NY
News
COVID-19: Unrest Breaks Out In Parts Of NY Cluster Areas Amid Protests Of Restrictions COVID-19: Unrest Breaks Out In Parts Of NY Cluster Areas Amid Protests Of Restrictions
Covid-19: Unrest Breaks Out In Parts Of NY Cluster Areas Amid Protests Of Restrictions After being forced to shut down for several months due to COVID-19, frustrations are mounting in some New York cluster communities where stricter restrictions have been put in place to prevent the spread of the virus. In recent weeks, there have been clusters of new COVID-19 cases - largely in Orthodox Jewish communities - which have forced New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to scale back some areas in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Hudson Valley. Earlier story - COVID-19: New Rules Announced In These Cluster Zones Frustrations boiled over this week, when a large crowd protesting the new COVID-19 …

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by Zak Failla
Torrington, CT
Politics
COVID-19: Now's Not Time To Reopen Bars, Expand Indoor Restaurant Capacity, Lamont Says COVID-19: Now's Not Time To Reopen Bars, Expand Indoor Restaurant Capacity, Lamont Says
Covid-19: Now's Not Time To Reopen Bars, Expand Indoor Restaurant Capacity, Lamont Says Though Connecticut’s daily COVID-19 infection rate remains among the lowest in the nation, Gov. Ned Lamont is taking things slowly and will not be reopening bars or expanding restaurant capacity. With the country bracing for an uncertain future regarding the virus and a potential second wave of cases, Lamont said this week that now is not the time to stop being cautious in the fight against COVID-19. Lamont said that he has consulted with leaders in other states that have reopened too quickly and saw a spike in COVID-19 cases, something he wants Connecticut to avoid. 
“They said, ‘We had r…

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by Zak Failla
Elizabeth, NJ
Police & Fire
Union County Strip Club Packed With Nearly 400 People Cited For Coronavirus Violation Union County Strip Club Packed With Nearly 400 People Cited For Coronavirus Violation
Union County Strip Club Packed With Nearly 400 People Cited For Coronavirus Violation A Union County strip club manager was issued a citation for having more than 400 people inside without masks, in violation of Gov. Phil Murphy's indoor gathering order, state officials said. It is unclear when the incident at Lookers Men's Club on Dowd Avenue in Elizabeth occurred, although New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan he would provide an update in the coming days. Murphy limited indoor gatherings to 25 people and has threatened to shut down Jersey Shore bars due to people crowded together in lines waiting to be seated without masks.

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by Cecilia Levine