Governor Cuomo wants 4,000-strong ‘social distancing’ enforcement unit as New York restaurants demand $ 2 billion for indoor eating ban

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he will only allow dining in New York to resume if the NYPD sets up a task force to enforce social distancing rules, as restaurants sue authorities for 2 billion dollars, citing “irreparable harm”.

Cuomo addressed the reopening of businesses in New York and elsewhere on Thursday during a press call. “Compliance and enforcement” would guide the state on lifting sweeping closures imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, particularly with regard to restaurants inside.

“If we open restaurants, it will complicate hundreds, if not thousands, of the number of establishments to watch,” Cuomo said, adding that his office will contact New York City officials soon to discuss setting up the 4,000-person execution unit.

We will contact [City Council Speaker Corey Johnson] today and say if New York City can say as many police officers, NYPD can be put on a task force to monitor compliance, is something we can discuss.

Al fresco dining was allowed to resume under an executive order signed by Cuomo in July, but indoor establishments remain closed under the restrictions, which some city officials, including Johnson, have called to end. autumn and winter are approaching.

“It’s time to allow dining in New York with reduced capacity and clear advice to ensure social distancing and safety,” the president of the city council said in a statement on Wednesday. “Summer is coming to an end and they need to start planning for the colder months.”

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Quoting a city council spokesperson, Reason magazine noted that Johnson agrees that social distancing should be enforced, but said he would prefer to use city agencies other than the NYPD.

While New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters on Thursday he was considering expanding a program to allow restaurants to set up on sidewalks and even some streets, he declined to give a timeline for the return of meals indoors, although he previously declared a decision. would come this month.

“It has to be health and safety first. It must be, how to beat the coronavirus? This is the first consideration, “ said the mayor.

Shortly after Cuomo’s press appeal, a group of about 350 New York City restaurants filed a class action lawsuit against the Governor, Mayor de Blasio and other state officials, asking $ 2 billion in damages for “Irreparable damage” made to the city’s food and beverage industry through government-imposed lockdowns. A Queens Italian restaurant, Il Bacco, is leading the lawsuit and argues that New York’s coronavirus policies put it at a competitive disadvantage, as restaurants in neighboring Nassau County have been allowed to eat inside.

Restaurants and bars have been battered in New York City amid the economic devastation brought on by the closures, Yelp reporting that nearly 1,000 food and beverage businesses have been forced to close their doors for good since March. New York Eater, meanwhile, estimates that nearly 20 New York restaurants went bankrupt in the first three days of September alone.

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