TOPLINE
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that the state has revoked liquor licenses of 27 New York restaurants and bars charged with social distance violations.
Mask-free people gathered at a Brooklyn, New York establishment on July 17.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
KEY FACTS
“I’m sorry it’s come to this, but it’s a dangerous situation, and I’ve said it many, many times,” said Cuomo during a Tuesday press conference, pointing out that bars that do not serve food remain shuttered in the current phase of reopening.
In total, the state has filed 410 social distance-related violations against eating and drinking establishments, said Cuomo in the briefing per CNBC.
Cuomo said the problem stemmed from young people congregating in bars, pointing to New York City as a hotspot.
Brik Bar and M.I.A. in Queens’ Astoria neighborhood, Secrets Gentlemen’s Club in Deer Park and Maspeth Pizza House in Maspeth were reportedly four of the 27 restaurants that lost their liquor licenses, according to AMNY.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced patrols of popular party neighborhoods Greenwich Village, Hell’s Kitchen, Washington Heights, Astoria, Ditmars and others where people have reportedly violated social distance mandates, according to New York Daily News.
Key Background
New York City entered phase four of reopening on Monday, which permits the resumption of higher education, professional sports and other activities with restrictions. Yet, indoor dining and bars that do not serve food remain prohibited from reopening.
On Thursday, Cuomo threatened mandatory closures of businesses that fail to comply with social distance restrictions after three warnings: “Three violations and you’re closed. We’re also going to post the names of the establishments facing disciplinary charges,” said the governor per CNBC.
Further Reading
Fun’s over: Two bars and a pizzeria in Queens lose liquor licenses after COVID-19 parties (AMNY)
Local N.Y. clubs stripped of liquor licenses after coronavirus crackdown (New York Daily News)
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