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As maskless patrons gather outside bars, governor threatens to roll back Hamptons, NYC reopening

The threat was prompted by scenes in the East Village that showed overcrowding.

News 12 Staff

Jun 15, 2020, 3:25 PM

Updated 1,618 days ago

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo has issued a warning that he will roll back reopening in the Hamptons and New York City if social distancing guidelines are not followed.
The threat was prompted by scenes in the East Village that showed overcrowding.
On the city's first Friday since reopening, crowds were seen standing shoulder to shoulder on the sidewalks, many with no masks and out drinking in the streets.
Gov. Cuomo says the state has received 25,000 complaints about a lack of safety measures, with the East End and Manhattan leading the way.
Gov. Cuomo also says if bars and restaurants don't enforce the rules, they will lose their liquor licenses and the state may even reverse their reopening.
 
Cynthia Ibrahim, who lives in Montauk, says she has seen the madness firsthand.
"It has been a nightmare all the way around," she says. "There were people at The Lobster Roll, 100 cars parked up and down 27."
But town officials in the area say they disagree with the governor and have been working hard to make sure businesses are adhering to guidelines. Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman is asking Cuomo for specifics about the complaints, and says they have received very few complaints themselves.
"If the governor is aware of something, he needs to share with us so we can have our law enforcement agencies investigate it," says Schneiderman.
Meanwhile, County Executive Steve Bellone said Sunday he had not heard of any ongoing issues involving bars and restaurants not complying.