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The New York State task force appointed to ensure that restaurants and bars are following COVID-19-related safety protocols seemingly commenced its crackdown on establishments with improper outdoor dining structures in February. The State Liquor Authority, which is part of this multi-agency task force, has so far suspended the liquor licenses of nine restaurants and bars in the city, including Williamsburg bar Our Wicked Lady and Cuban-Asian fusion restaurant Aura Cocina, after finding that these establishments used outdoor setups with more than two sides enclosed earlier this month.
All the suspensions occurred prior to the return indoor dining on February 12, which signaled yet another round of updates to the regulations concerning how outdoor structures can be used. According to state rules, restaurants and bars need to have to at least two fully open sides to allow for airflow. However, when indoor dining is allowed. structures with more than two sides enclosed can operate at the same capacity — currently 25 percent in NYC — as the indoor dining room.