BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Governor Andrew Cuomo is launching a public service announcement to remind young people that they are not immune to the coronavirus.
The governor was prompted to do this because of the four-percent rise in young people who have contracted coronavirus in recent weeks, many of whom have frequented bars and restaurants.
"This is not the time to fight for your right to party," Cuomo said. "I respect your right to party. I fully respect it. I would enshrine it in state law if you want to know...But let's be smart about it. There's an attitude that young people are immune. You are not."
Cuomo again defended his controversial mandate that bars and restaurants must serve food in order to serve alcohol. Some bars and restaurants have tried to circumvent the policy by offering food options like chips and pretzels for as low as 50 cents. The governor this week ruled that those restaurants cannot do that, saying it must be a substantial meal like a hot dog or salad.
There are bars in New York that don't prioritize food sales. Cuomo said that in order for a bar to have a liquor license, they must also have food available.
"There is no bar that only serves alcohol," Cuomo said. "To be a bar, there had to be food available. Soups, sandwiches, etc. More than just chicken wings…you had to have substantive food. The lowest substantive food is sandwiches. Even to be a bar, you had to have food available. We opened outdoor dining."
