New York City is clamping down on coronavirus related rule breaking at restaurants and bars this weekend. Mayor de Blasio admits the city has what he calls troubled areas when it comes to crowds and face covering violations at bars and restaurants.
“Your right about that part of Astoria, your right about the Lower East Side. We gotta do better there.”
With a warm summer weekend on tap, de Blasio says there will be stepped up enforcement
“The civilian folks doing the education, the face coverings, a lot from the sheriff’s office, PD as needed. But we are very focused on getting the point across to people that everyone has got to take this seriously.”
Governor Cuomo has repeatedly criticized the NYPD and local governments for not doing enough to enforce coronavirus related rules.
Summer programs for the youth cooped up because of coronavirus are starting Monday in New York City. The Summer Bridge Program will help tens of thousands ages 14 to 24 with career building skills and also starting up on Monday is the Play Streets program. Mayor de Blasio says that will provide sports, activities, and crafts for children.
“When you think about all the things that’s kids have been through. Again, not being able to get as much physical activity and play, not being able to see their friends as much. Lot of things have been on hold. Well, we’re going to open up.”
The city is also closing an additional one and a half miles of streets to vehicles for children, pedestrians and cyclists across the five boroughs.