NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Crowds of partiers have been gatherings on the streets of Astoria every weekend, with many not social distancing or wearing masks, frustrated neighbors said.
Hundreds of people were at the corner of Steinway Street and 28th Avenue on Friday night, Citizen App video shows.
One neighbor called it "just one big party." He blamed restaurants, saying they attract more people than there is outdoor seating capacity.
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"The restaurants were given an inch and they've taken a mile," he said. "It's one thing to have a few tables set up outside for eating. It's another thing for it to become Bourbon Street in the middle of a pandemic."
Another resident, Frank, said the streets are "out of control" every weekend.
"There's too many people with no masks or anything," he said. "No social distancing, nothing."
"You can't even come out, because they throw garbage all over," he added. "The crowds are too big. You can't even pass through. They stand outside the stores and drink right here and smoke and everything."
Police said there were no problems Friday night and that no arrests were made.
Mayor Bill de Blasio responded on Twitter Saturday, writing: "This is unacceptable. New Yorkers have made too many sacrifices to fight COVID-19. We can't let up now. We'll be out in Astoria and across the city tonight to make sure restaurants are doing their part to keep their diners and their workers safe."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a crackdown this week on bars and restaurants across the state, saying too many have been flouting mask-wearing and social distancing rules, especially downstate.
Taverns and eateries can no longer allow walk-up bar service or serve alcohol to people who aren't buying food, and any establishment cited three times with breaking the rules will be closed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
