COVID-19; Bars; Socia-Distancing
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced New York City bars and restaurants will be shut down after three social distancing violations — and now must only serve alcohol with sit-down food orders. (Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock)

New York City’s outdoor bar and restaurant scene is about to be restricted once again, reports Patch.

A “three strikes and you are closed” rule was announced on Thursday by Governor Andrew Cuomo as a way to effectively crackdown on pandemic hot spots.

Cuomo has long expressed frustration at scenes of crowded, maskless New Yorkers drinking alcohol on crowded city sidewalks. During a telephone briefing Thursday, he claimed officials looked at 5,000 downstate bars and restaurants and found mass noncompliance with social distancing.

The new rules also come as worries grow about surging coronavirus cases out of state.
“Our numbers are good,” Cuomo said, “but what we are looking at is a potential second wave coming from these other states.”
But other rules quickly confused establishment owners as to whether the city will officially sanction takeout alcohol service — a popular perk among many New York City dwellers after months of lockdown and the emergence of hot weather.
Cuomo quickly clarified himself online in regard to alcohol-related rules. No drinking will be allowed unless patrons are seated at tables spaced 6 feet apart. Customers must also order food with their alcohol and no walk-up bar service is allowed.

Kimberlean Donis

Kimberlean Donis is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn. She is a student at both London City University and Williams College majoring in Political Science, Art History, and Africana Studies.

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