New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has threatened to reverse New York City’s reopening plan and close all bars and restaurants because too many are allowing large groups to gather.
The infection rate of people examined in New York City is now just 1.3 percent, with Brooklyn (0.9 percent) and Manhattan (1.1 percent) showing lower numbers than any other borough.
Statewide, hospitalizations have fallen to their lowest level since March 18 – 716 – and the three-day average of the number of people dying each day is now 11.
Despite the encouraging numbers, Cuomo says there are still too many young people, particularly in the city, who ignore the rules of social estrangement.
They are “reckless and stupid,” he said, but the owners of bars and restaurants that allow them to meet and the police who turn a blind eye to them are also to blame.
New York City bars and restaurants were finally able to offer outdoor service on June 22 after an excruciating 14-week shutdown that paralyzed the economy and left many out of business. Food inside is postponed indefinitely, due in part to the huge increase in cases seen in other states where it was allowed to resume.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo threatened Monday to close all bars and restaurants
People at a bar in Buswick, Brooklyn, over the weekend, where people scoffed at the rules of social estrangement
Steinway Street in Astoria was one of the areas that Cuomo pointed out Monday in his presentation.
On Monday, Cuomo warned: ‘We cannot allow those congregations to continue.
‘If it happens … I’ll tell you what’s going to happen.
‘We will have to reverse the opening of the bar and restaurant if the congregations continue, if the local governments do not stop it, that is what is going to happen.
“One plus one still equals two,” he said.
He showed photos of crowds at bars in Astoria, Queens and on the Lower East Side as examples, but large gatherings have been seen throughout the city.
Statewide: 1.05% positive of 49,342 people tested positive (519).
Bars and restaurants were allowed to resume cookouts on June 22.
Many had been offering take-out food during the pandemic, which created a problem of people gathering on the streets with drinks.
Last week, Cuomo tightened the rules.
Hospitalizations are now at their lowest point since March 19 – 716 people are hospitalized with COVID-19
People gather in the East Village on Saturday in front of a bar. The bars have been open-air since June 22 only, but have been offering take-out drinks for months.
Now, anyone who sits in a bar or restaurant outdoors must order food with their alcoholic beverages.
While many have strictly adhered to the rules, others have circumvented them.
The White Horse Tavern in West Village had its liquor license suspended for repeatedly violating social distancing rules.
Others, like Lola Taverna in Soho, have been the subject of complaints from New Yorkers.
Last week, a troubling number of ‘maskless pandemic parties’ appeared across the city.
They were secretly promoted on WhatsApp and involved large crowds of young people who performed at parties to dance alongside DJ music.
New York had by far the highest number of cases in the United States at its worst in March and April.
Now, as cases continue to rise in other states that have become more relaxed in their blockade approach, Cuomo is bringing his tactics to them to try to help.
On Monday, he and a team of delegates left for Georgia.
His repeated boasts of crushing the New York curve have angered conservatives who blame him for the initial spike in cases.
.
