Despite Covid-19 restrictions, a Staten Island Bar opened a day after it was shut down, and the owners declared it an ‘autonomous zone.
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The authorities shut the bar last week and arrested one of the owners for opening the bar despite government instructions. According to the bar’s co-owner, the bar was reponed at 8:30 pm on Friday, December 4. He also said they practiced the SOPs, and the tables were arranged at a distance of six feet. He further declared that around a hundred people were inside the bar on Friday night.
Lou Gelormino, Mac’s Public House’s co-owner, said the purpose of reopening is to stand with fellow restaurant businesses and to register the protest against lockdown rules for restaurant owners.point 293 |
He said no one from the sheriff’s office had visited the restaurant after reopening, but he hopes they will revisit soon.point 107 | Hundred of other businesses had rendered their support to Gelormino, and they are saying they will also oppose the pandemic policies.point 220 | 1
The public was also annoyed with the decision to shut the restaurants.point 173 | The enraged crowd chanted, “Cuomo sucks!” when the cops entered to close the bar and arrest Presti.point 268 |
Gelormino said the owners had not yet paid any summonses, which the authorities issued on Tuesday.point 83 | He said that they are ready to sit and talk to the officials and agree on some flexible policies, but unfortunately, they are unwilling to cooperate.point 207 | 1
Many influencers and political leaders, including Congress-woman-elect Nicole Malliotakis, have shown their support to the bar owners.point 232 |
Authorities said the bar is located in an area where the coronavirus cases are increasing continuously, and thus it should not entertain the customers indoors.point 135 | The owners refused to accept the statement and declared the bar an autonomous zone.point 205 | 1
Cuomo had imposed a strict policy of closing all the bars and restaurants after 10 pm, and those who are not following the instructions are likely to be charged with thousands of dollars.