Latest Articles Diners in New York City – who are still allowed to eat at restaurants as long as they sit in the snow – can no longer use the indoor bathrooms. At least that s what the rule said at first. On Thursday night, the administration of Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo enacted new rules. The initial guidance, released publicly by Kapil Longani, counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio, stated that customers are not allowed to enter the inside of a State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment for any reason while the guidance is in effect, The New York Post reported. But that guidance wasn t.
City causes confusion on bathroom use after issuing indoor dining guidance
Updated Dec 18, 2020;
Posted Dec 18, 2020
The bar at Bravo Pizza in New Dorp is shown on Sept 30, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri)
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday walked back incorrect guidance a city official published Thursday night that said outdoor dining patrons would be unable to use restaurants’ bathrooms.
In reality, those patrons will be able to use indoor bathrooms, the mayor said during his morning press briefing, in contradiction to a FAQ the office of the Counsel to the Mayor Kapil Longani tweeted, which specified that indoor bathroom usage would not be allowed.
The New York Post covered the first wave of complaints prior to an update issued Friday.
“If my SLA-licensed establishment is offering outdoor dining, may I allow customers to use the bathroom inside?” one person asked.
“No,” an official responded. “Customers may not enter the inside of the establishment for any reason.”
The decision exacerbated already-steaming entrepreneurs who have dealt with mercurial edicts issued by lawmakers since the outbreak of COVID-19 early in the year.
“[This is] another example of why restaurants and bars feel like government is purposely kicking them in the gut and then stopping on their hand when they’re already down,” responded Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, the Post reported.
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