#Astoria restaurant crackdown a warning to other businesses: De Blasio

The State Liquor Authority’s decision to yank liquor licenses from three packed bars and restaurants in Astoria, Queens was a warning to other city businesses to follow COVID-19 social distancing rules, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday.

“We had a particular problem on Steinway Street, which was worse than we’ve seen in other places and we had to deal with that aggressively and also send a message to others that they have to act responsibly,” de Blasio said during a City Hall press briefing.

Brik Astoria and M.I.A (Made In Astoria) as well as Maspeth Pizzeria had their liquor licenses suspended earlier this week for violating coronavirus safety protocols.

“We will definitely have enforcement out there where needed,” he said, adding that “overwhelmingly we’ve seen compliance.”

When asked why officials are cracking down on businesses instead of the people crowding their establishments, de Blasio said the owners are responsible for their customers’ behavior.

 “It really is in part the standard that the restaurant or the bar set,” he said.

“We did start out with more of a focus on individuals, we found it was a mixed bag honestly,” de Blasio continued.

“Where there’s a business that continually does not follow instructions, they need to feel consequences and yes in some cases individuals as well, but only when absolutely necessary,” he added.

He also promised to expand the city’s Open Restaurants program where eateries can take over sidewalk and parking spaces to provide more space for their diners. Over 9,000 establishments have already joined the plan.