Gov. Andrew Cuomo (Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)
Aug. 10, 2020 By Allie Griffin
Governor Andrew Cuomo scorned his hometown Sunday as Queens establishments once again racked up the most COVID-19 rule violations over the weekend.
The State Liquor Authority (SLA) and State Police task force issued violations to 26 Queens bars and restaurants that weren’t in compliance with state-mandated coronavirus regulations on Friday and Saturday.
“Come on, Queens,” Cuomo said during a press briefing Sunday after announcing the number of violations.
“We need the NYPD to step up and help in New York City and we need local governments across the board to also be doing their job.”
In total, the joint task force visited 2,294 businesses in New York City and Long Island and found 60 in violation of measures meant to stop the spread of COVID-19, including mask wearing and social distancing.
“Protect the progress,” Cuomo urged.
The SLA and State Police also issued violations to 22 eateries in Manhattan, four in Staten Island, two in Brooklyn, two in the Bronx, three in Nassau and one in Suffolk on Friday and Saturday.
The SLA has suspended the liquor licenses of dozens of Queens bars and restaurants that have had multiple violations or particularly egregious violations over the past several weeks.
The SLA had suspended the liquor licenses of 37 Queens establishments as of Aug. 3. Cuomo didn’t say if any additional bars or restaurants lost their licenses over the weekend.
Queens suspensions greatly outnumber those in the other boroughs. Manhattan had 17 suspensions, the Bronx has 10 suspensions, Brooklyn has eight and Staten Island has two, as of Aug. 3.
