Cuomo Says New Yorkers Could Be Confined Again After Social Distancing Failures

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been one of the more controversial figures in American politics as of late, particularly as it pertains to the Empire State’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

New York City, the Big Apple, was long the global epicenter of the COVID-19 issue.  The city’s nearly unmatched population density, combined with the ever-present hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps, made NYC a near-perfect breeding ground for the highly contagious virus.

Now, as the Five Boroughs finally seem to have COVID slowly coming under control, Governor Cuomo is concerned that New Yorkers aren’t taking the illness as seriously as they should be, and is threatening to reimplement some of the stricter virus guidelines.

Andrew Cuomo said his office had received 25,000 complaints of reopening violations by businesses as New Yorkers flocked to streets to enjoy a weekend of late spring sunshine.

“Lots of violations of social distancing, parties in the street, restaurants and bars ignoring laws,” he tweeted.

“Enforce the law or there will be state action,” Cuomo warned local authorities.

Cuomo had some specific concerns as well.

Restaurants and bars are allowed to offer takeaway food and drinks but are not permitted to offer outside seating until phase two, expected later this month.

Under social distancing guidelines, gatherings are meant to be capped at ten people.

It is also illegal to drink alcohol in public places in New York.

The governor retweeted a video showing hundreds of people partying in a street in Manhattan’s East Village on Friday evening with the words, “Don’t make me come down there.”

The move comes as mainstream media outlets appear to take a selective approach to reporting on and cautioning Americans regarding coronavirus.