Wedding halls in Lakewood, NJ have implemented a list of rules for patrons to adhere to in an attempt to keep the halls operating during the Covid-19 restrictions.
The halls released a statement, saying, “We are looking forward to hosting your simcha. It is indeed fortunate that we are still permitted to celebrate chasunos with family and friends in Lakewood, considering that at this time halls and venues have been entirely shuttered in Brooklyn and Monsey.
“The chasuna halls in Lakewood have collectively determined that we must be very careful at this volatile time to ensure the health and well-being of our guests and the community at large. There have been circumstances in the past where a number of participants got ill after a chasuna, potentially as a result of exposure at the chasuna. We have agreed to set the following guidelines in place at all Lakewood chasuna halls:
- The number of guests will be limited to 150 people joining the simcha in the chasuna hall at any one time. That includes immediate family.
- Assuming that the 150 attendees at the start will principally consist of family, there will be a second phase allowing the choson/kallah’s friends to participate. After the chupa/seuda/1st dance the music will break for 30 minutes allowing the family (1st phase guests) to leave and friends (2nd phase guests) to come. It will obviously be the prerogative and responsibility of the baal simcha to determine, and invite, the guests attending the 1st phase and 2nd phase.
- There will be a staff member by the front door monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic and keeping tally of the amount of guests in the hall.
- All guests will be required to wear masks. The chasuna hall will keep a supply of masks on hand and will have a staff member circulating handing masks to those not wearing.
- If the choson/kallah, mechutanim, grandparents, and choson/kallah’s siblings have antibodies they will not need to wear masks.”
The statement concluded, “We understand that following this protocol will be a sacrifice for all, however the sakanas nefoshos mandates mesirus nefesh. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you in advance for the extra effort it will entail to conform to these standards. In the zchus of celebrating your simcha in a manner that protects the general health we should all merit seeing עוד ישבו זקנים וזקנות ברחובות ירושלים.”
Lake Terrace Hall
N’eemas Hachaim
Ateres Chana
Ateres Genendel
Ateres Reva
Keser Moshe Yehuda
{Matzav.com}
I have a bit of a problem with rule # 3.
It may be an Aveira. And dangerous for Aiyin-Ho’ra. (and, ironically, could C”V cause a plague… as has occurred by Dovid-Ha’melech.)
Perhaps we could use a Machtzis-Ha’shekel instead? 🙂
Perhaps you’ll feel better if the tally is made by saying not 1 not 2 not 3 etc.