To encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy today announced the Garden State’s new “Shot and a Beer” initiative.
Legal drinking age New Jerseyans who get their first dose of one of the available vaccines can show their vaccination card at one of 13 participating breweries across the state for a complimentary beer.
NEW: We’re launching our “Shot and a Beer” program to encourage eligible New Jerseyans ages 21+ to get vaccinated.
Any New Jerseyan who gets their first vaccine dose in the month of May and takes their vaccination card to a participating brewery will receive a free beer. 🍻 pic.twitter.com/REiHTEa6mi
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 3, 2021
The Brewers Guild of New Jersey collaborated with the state on the “Shot and a Beer” program, part of the larger “Operation Jersey Summer,” which aims to vaccinate 4.7 million New Jerseyans by June 30.
Last week, New York’s Erie County, which includes the city of Buffalo, launched its “Shot and a Chaser” program, which partners with local breweries to host vaccination clinics. Legal drinking age adults are entitled to a complimentary beer or other beverage when they receive a vaccine through the program.
Murphy also announced the state’s 50% indoor dining capacity limit will lift May 19. Restaurants will still be required to maintain at least six feet between tables. Indoor bar seating will return May 7.
“We feel confident in moving up this timetable given the accelerated progress we’re seeing in our vaccination program, hospital metrics, and daily case counts,” Murphy tweeted.
Across the country, operating restrictions for breweries, taprooms, bars and restaurants continue to lift as vaccination efforts continue.
In California, the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health rolled back the curfew it had placed on bars, breweries and wineries in an April 30 update to its COVID-19 protocols. Those businesses no longer need to close earlier than their licenses allow.
In addition to removing the curfew, the department also removed its limit on guests’ visit duration, which had been restricted to 90 minutes. Guests are still required to make reservations for indoor service. Service employees who are fully vaccinated now have the option of wearing just a mask, instead of a mask and face shield.
Los Angeles County walked back its requirement that meals be served with alcohol at breweries, wineries and distilleries in March.
In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that indoor dining capacity at breweries, bars and restaurants in New York City will increase to 75% beginning May 7, which brings the city in line with statewide regulations. Bar seating returned in New York City today.
The Empire State’s midnight curfew for outdoor dining will lift on May 17 for outdoor dining and May 31 for indoor dining.
In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker announced the planned rollback of the state’s meal requirements for alcohol service beginning May 29, but Boston Mayor Kim Janey issued different guidelines for the city. Beginning June 19, Boston breweries, beer gardens, bars, wineries and distilleries that do not serve food will be permitted to reopen with table service with no meal requirement. Tables are limited to 10 guests and subject to a 90-minute limit.
Dance floors are not permitted; dance clubs and nightclubs in Boston will be permitted to reopen August 22, three weeks later than the state’s reopening date of August 1.