A Statement from Senator Rob Ortt

"Governor Cuomo’s plan to close restaurants in New York City on Monday will stick a fork in an already suffering industry. These establishments made major investments to keep their staff and customers safe. The idea that customers will dine in the snow or cold weather, or that a restaurant will survive on take-out alone, is ludicrous.

"We all understand the need to keep hospital capacity available, but with a 1.43% transmission rate it appears that restaurants have done their best to keep infection spread low. These lockdowns will result in permanent closures, job losses, and devastation for thousands of New York small businesses.

"We ask New Yorkers to support restaurants and their workers and we urge the Governor to reverse this decision."