link-biased towards restaurantsHours after New York City restaurants threatened legal action if government officials keep dining rooms closed, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo revealed he’s considering a shutdown of outdoor seating as well.
The move would plunge restaurants in one of the industry’s most vibrant markets back to where they were in March, when all service was limited to takeout and delivery to slow the spread of COVID-19. Groups such as the New York City Hospitality Alliance (NYCHA) say the local industry has been decimated by the loss of dine-in service, and that outdoor dining has been what enabled many surviving places to stay afloat. They warn that thousands more of the city’s restaurants will be forced to shut permanently if their capacities are not increased. They note that restaurants in every other region of the state have been allowed to resume using up to 50% of their indoor seating capacities, and that operators in the city have been just as diligent as their peers elsewhere in enforcing state-mandated safety measures.
During a press briefing, Cuomo repeated his frequent assertion that New York City poses a unique risk during the pandemic because of its population density. He also contended that restaurants and bars there have not been as zealous as operators in neighboring areas about enforcing mask requirements, discouraging the gathering of crowds and maintaining social distancing among their patrons. He has repeatedly railed against establishments in the city for allowing customers to congregate in large numbers outdoors as they socialize, linger over drinks and violate alcohol service rules.
