New York closes bars and restaurants to stop spread of COVID-19
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Restaurants will be limited to serving food via take-out and delivery only, starting on Monday, due to the coronavirus outbreak. Photo by Kaboompics.com via Pexels
By Victoria Merlino and David Brand
Bars and restaurants will soon be limited to take-out and delivery, while all entertainment venues, casinos and gyms will close down in the latest drastic measure to stop the spread of coronavirus in New York.
The new limits go into effect across the state at 8 p.m. Monday, according to an announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who implemented the restrictions in conjunction with his counterparts in New Jersey and Connecticut.
"Our primary goal right now is to slow the spread of this virus so that the wave of new infections doesn't crash our healthcare system, and everyone agrees social distancing is the best way to do that," Cuomo said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered similar restrictions for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues in New York City on Monday.
“Our lives are all changing in ways that were unimaginable just a week ago,” de Blasio said in a statement. “Now it is time to take yet another drastic step.”
Astoria restaurateur Domenico Sacramone said the crisis necessitated the restrictions. Nevertheless, the impact will “devastate” restaurants and seriously hurt employees throughout New York City, said Sacramone, who owns Sac’s Place on 35th Avenue.
“This is a crisis for all of us right now [and] we’re working on a skeleton crew,” Sacramone said. “I don’t want to get rid of anybody so we’re going to do a rotation among employees so people can see some payroll.”
Sacramone called on New Yorkers to abide by the restrictions, but to order food from their local restaurants. “I need people who dont cook to order out. We’re here for them,” he said.
He also called on the city and state to assist restaurant owners faced with exorbitant rents.
“We’re all going to need some sort of relief,” Sacramone said. “There’s no way I’m going to be able to meet rent and all my bills just by making deliveries.”
State officials announced that residents can buy carryout beer, wine and liquor from restaurants and bars during the mandated closures, though details of the plan have not yet been announced.
The directives are the latest in a series of increasingly stringent measures from the city and state government as officials try to stem the spread of COVID-19, among them the decision to close New York City public schools, and to postpone the Queens borough president special election.
There have been 463 reported cases in New York City as of March 16 at 11:30 a.m.
