Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has issued a stern warning to bars, restaurants or other establishments that are disregarding a New York State mandate to limit the size of public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic and response.
Last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo prohibited public gatherings of over 500 people and required establishments to cut their capacity in half as the state works to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
On Sunday, Poloncarz said he is aware that many establishments in the county did not follow this directive on Saturday and he says there can and will be legal consequences for businesses that are found to be violating the rules.
If you are a bar or restaurant and you violate the NYS occupancy laws, you run the risk of being closed or losing your liquor license. Follow the law and keep our community safe.
— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) March 15, 2020
The county executive says the county is prepared to have health department employees do "spot checks" at bars and restaurants and will report violations to the State Liquor Authority.
