New York Governor Cuomo warns New York restaurants to close again in fall

New York City restaurants that have remained afloat with outdoor patios and take-out service this summer may be forced to close when it gets cold this fall as local officials struggle to enforce state orders aimed at curbing the coronavirus, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned on Wednesday. .

Unlike other parts of the state, restaurants and bars in the Big Apple have not been allowed to reopen indoor food services. Some have been able to operate with enlarged outdoor patios which Cuomo says are safer.

“We have a much, much bigger problem in New York City today than in any surrounding suburb with a lack of compliance,” Cuomo told reporters on a conference call when asked why the The state allows indoor dining in other areas, not New York. City.

While every New York region is in the final stages of reopening, New York City has been banned from reopening many indoor activities as Covid-19 spreads across the country. Cuomo recently laid the groundwork for some indoor businesses to return in the coming weeks with limited capacity, including gyms and museums, but has yet to make a decision on restaurants and bars.

The state has cracked down on many restaurants and bars for violating the governor’s orders to operate with safety precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. New York has suspended alcohol licenses for nearly 150 bars for violating orders, according to a press release on Monday.

Other restaurants have received citations, many in the New York City area, and are subject to fines of up to $ 10,000 per violation.

“I understand the inconvenience that many businesses face. And I understand that many businesses face economic difficulties and feel that if they can’t get back to full operation, they’re going to have problems,” Cuomo said. the call.

However, he indicated that a decision could come later as the weather turned cold and added that “in this environment, two weeks is what a year was. Something changes every two weeks ”.

The infection rate across New York City has remained low for the past 12 consecutive days. The so-called positivity rate, or the percentage of total tests positive, less than 1%, indicates that the virus is under control in the area.

This is a developing story. Please check for updates later.