The New York State Liquor Authority now tells bars and restaurants they must serve foods like hot dogs and slices of pie, rather than things like chips and cookies, to comply with a new restriction aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
The guide appeared in a Frequently Asked Questions section posted on its website for business owners wondering how to fulfill Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recent mandate that customers can only buy alcohol if they also buy food. Cuomo announced the rule last week after complaining that some of the state’s restaurants have been transformed into open-air standing bars where the rules for masks and social alienation are ignored.
“Can a customer order just one dessert item along with an alcoholic beverage?” Read the frequently asked questions.
“Yes, as long as the dessert is a substantial item, such as a slice of cake / pie, ice cream, etc.; it should not be just a drink with whipped cream, a cookie, a sweet, etc.,” he says.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Another section of the FAQ says, “I operate a restaurant or bar, and understand that I must serve sandwiches, soups, or ‘other foods’ when a customer orders an alcoholic beverage, can you tell me what constitutes ‘other foods?'”
“’Other foods’ are foods that are similar in quality and substance to sandwiches and soups; for example, salads, wings or hot dogs would be of that quality and substance; however, a bag of potato chips, a bowl of nuts, or candy alone is not, ”it reads in response to that question.
The State Liquor Authority says the purpose of Cuomo’s new policy is “to ensure that customers enjoy a small-group dining experience with drinks, that is, a meal, and not a bar-type experience.”
NEW YORK PUB OFFERS ‘CUOMO CHIPS’ TO COMPLY WITH NEW CORONAVIRUS RULE ON FOOD AND BOOZE
Those experiences, he says, “often involve or lead to mixing and other behavior that does not comply with social distancing and the use of face covering and is therefore not yet a safe activity during the current health emergency.” .
“The spikes / resurgence in COVID-19 cases that this has caused in other states is something that New York should avoid at all costs,” adds the Liquor Authority.
However, the reasoning you are using to determine which foods are good to serve with drinks and which are unclear.
The liquor authority, when contacted by Fox News on Wednesday to explain the methodology, did not respond.
THE DEMOCRAT LAWYER BLOCKS THE GOVERNMENT. CUOMO’S VISIT TO GEORGIA: “YOU NEED TO BE IN NEW YORK”
The frequently asked questions section on what foods are allowed under the Cuomo restriction was published online Tuesday night, according to the New York Post, days after the governor announced the measure.
But the new guide has received some criticism on social media.
“A silly and wasteful medium for important purposes. Simpler message: There are no groups or we have to close it, “Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro tweeted.
The restriction drew national attention last week after Matthew Bagley, the owner of Harvey’s Irish pub in Saratoga, went viral for selling $ 1 “Cuomo Chips” to meet the requirement.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
However, Bagley told the Albany Times-Union that the State Liquor Authority later called him and said that the potatoes were not enough, unless he added sauce. Then he reportedly received another call saying that the chips and salsa were no longer adequate and that he would have to go even further.
“They said it should be something more substantial, like an appetizer or a sandwich,” he told the newspaper.
Fox News’ Robert Gearty contributed to this report.
