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Cuomo Announces New Three Strike Rule For NYC Bars & Restaurants Violating Pandemic Guidelines
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jul 16, 2020
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Gretchen Robinette / Gothamist
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jul 16, 2020
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Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that the state is tightening the rules and penalties around bars and restaurants who break the pandemic guidelines, including social distancing and face covering orders. That includes a new three strike rule for any of those establishments found in violation of the guidelines.
"There is significant evidence of failure to comply," Cuomo said during a call with reporters on Thursday. "The state has looked at over 5,000 establishments in downstate New York and found many cases of failure to comply. It's wrong, it's dangerous, it's selfish and it's also illegal."
He said that the state will close any restaurants in the city after they receive three violations: “Three violations and you’re closed. We’re also going to post the names of the establishments facing disciplinary charges," he said, adding that egregious violators could face more immediate closures.
The White Horse Tavern, who lost their liquor license last week for social distance violations, had at least eight visits from the State Liquor Authority and NYPD and received thirty violations before being shuttered.
Cuomo also said that there would be no walk-up bar service and that people can only order alcohol with food, which was essentially already the outdoor dining policy. However, his spokesperson clarified that to-go cocktails would still be allowed.
"If you're not eating a meal and you're just drinking, then it's just an outdoor bar and people are mingling and they're not isolated at individual tables," Cuomo said, explaining why it was okay to sit for a meal at an outdoor restaurant with tables that are properly socially distanced.
"New Yorkers are outraged at these establishments," Cuomo added. "We're getting thousands of complaints, pictures, videos... This is a question of public health. New Yorkers have paid a dear price for COVID, and they are equally upset with these violations."
During the call, Cuomo also said New York City was still on track to go into Phase 4 next week, but without any additional indoor activity such as museums and malls.
“We are still seeing issues, not just in bars and restaurants but all across the country,” he said. “You see this inside interior spaces, air conditioned spaces where the virus is tending to spread. So we’re going to take that precaution in New York City.”
Cuomo was also asked specifically about The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, which announced yesterday that it would officially reopen to the public starting on August 29th. Asked if they were jumping the gun, Cuomo said, "What's going to happen August 29th? I don't know, nobody knows. I think they can plan to reopen, and then we'll see what the facts say."
"Nobody can answer today was COVID virus will be doing a month from today, but let people plan, get ready, make arrangements," Cuomo said. "We know now that there'll be no indoor cultural institution activity [today]. Then we'll see how it goes."
Tagged
social distancing
COVID-19
Governor Andrew Cuomo
coronavirus
andrew cuomo
restaurants
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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