Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has issued new restrictions on outdoor dining in New York, stating that “Customers cannot enter the inside of the establishment for any reason.”
In an ongoing effort to destroy New York's famed restaurant industry, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has issued new restrictions on outdoor dining, stating that "Customers cannot enter the inside of the establishment for any reason."
Take orders "must be placed remotely," either via phone or internet, patrons picking up their food must wait for it outside, and that even bathroom use would be prohibited.
There were additional restrictions placed on employees who work in restaurants that said only those who are currently on the clock can be inside, that they cannot "consume alcoholic beverages under any circumstances," with the rule extending to owners as well.
"Social eating and drinking among employees, including group meals, is prohibited," and "any employee dining within the establishment must comply with health code requirements."
Patrons who are sitting outside dining the cold would not be permitted to use the restroom facilities, per the letter, although this provision was later reversed over that complete and total outrage on human rights and dignity.
The letter went on to say that all outdoor dining structures "must have at lease two open sides for airflow," meaning that many of the "bubbles" and outdoor structures that restaurants have built in order to keep customers and try to stay in business are disallowed. "
Mayor Bill de Blasio's office was careful to say that this directive came from the state level. The mayor's office was responsible for demanding the change to allow customers to use the bathroom when dining outdoors at restaurants.
The new rules are set by the State, not the City.
We’ve asked them to change the rules around bathroom use to keep outdoor dining viable and help our restaurants survive. https://t.co/u69Kq7bp1U
— Bill Neidhardt (@BNeidhardt)
That prohibition was lifted, according to the mayor's press office. "After discussions with the State, they have agreed to change the rule around bathroom access."
"(You can use the bathroom.)," Avery Cohen of the press office stated.
(You can use the bathroom.)
— Avery Cohen (@CohenAvery)
The ban on indoor dining in New York City was put back into effect as of Dec. 7, and is a blow to New York's struggling, yet iconic, restaurant industry. Eater New York has a running list of how many restaurants have closed, and many of the names of those who will never emerge from lockdown are notable, from local favorites to those that are well-renown.
New York's restaurants are bearing the brunt of the economic shut down, with more than half saying that they are on the brink of closure if there isn't some kind of industry-wide bailout. "Nearly 60 percent of NY operators say they are considering going into hibernation until the pandemic is over," reported Eater New York.
Restaurants had been allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity indoors, with the City locked into a 10 pm curfew at which time all restaurants and bars are meant to close their doors. Prior to the pandemic, establishments did not have to close until 4 am.
Some restauranteurs in the city have refused to comply, and the NYPD has also refused to enforce either the curfew or the indoor dining ban. In Staten Island, Daniel Presti has been arrested multiple times for his very public refusal to comply with orders to not operate his business.
The transmission of coronavirus in New York is 1.4 percent, which is fifth down on the list of events and activities that spread the virus widely. A test and trace program is in effect across the city, and the top spreading activity is indoor gatherings, at 74 percent. However, neither Cuomo nor de Blasio have the power to control people in their own homes, so restaurants get slammed in their stead.
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