Mary Josephine Generoso of Rocco's says she doesn't want to conflict with hungry New Yorkers' right to "roam freely."
Not all Big Apple restaurants were happy as a citywide vaccine mandate took effect on Monday — and some are all but thumbing their noses at the controversial clampdown.
The so-called “Key to NYC” program — which requires diners to show proof they’ve been vaccinated from COVID — has gotten support from high-profile restaurateurs like Danny Meyer of the Gramercy Tavern and Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin, as well as the owners of Sylvia’s in Harlem.
But some fret that the new rules won’t be enforceable and that they will turn off tourists as local eateries scramble to recover from a year and a half of lockdowns. Others say they won’t even try to enforce the new rule beginning Sept. 13, when city inspections at restaurants, indoor entertainment venues and gyms are slated to begin.
Shortly after Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the new rules on Aug. 3, a sign appeared in the front window of Pasticceria Rocco, a pastry shop and diner in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn: “We do not discriminate against any customer based on sex, gender, race, creed, age, vaccinated or unvaccinated. All customers who wish to patronize are welcome.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the city of New York are facing their first lawsuit from restaurants for the executive order requiring proof of vaccination to dine indoors.
The Independent Restaurant Owners Association Rescue, Max’s Esca, DeLuca’s Italian Restaurant and Pasticceria Rocco are seeking an injunction against de Blasio’s executive order. Two fitness venues, Evolve-33 and Staten Island Judo Jujitsu, were also listed as plaintiffs in the complaint. All of the plaintiffs, excluding Pasticceria Rocco, are based in Staten Island. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in New York Supreme Court.
Nick Paolucci, press secretary for New York City’s law department, said that the city is reviewing the complaint.A NYC restaurant manager goes renegade in the face of new vaccination-proof rules https://t.co/BoXxJhF6Db pic.twitter.com/itFy65xY2P
— New York Post (@nypost)
August 18, 2021
