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Board members raise testing, mask compliance and enforcement concerns amid increased outdoor activity
Summary
Members reported complaints about mask compliance and gatherings outside restaurants, noted City and private testing availability, and requested further information from sanitation and health providers.
Board members raised concerns about mask compliance, social distancing and sanitation as outdoor restaurant activity increased. Several members said they had submitted complaints to precincts and 311 about venues where groups were lingering unmasked and using outdoor spaces as bar-like hangouts.
Chenault described specific locations where operators' setups invited prolonged congregating, and Carter said precincts and elected officials had been inundated with complaints. "We've gotten numerous complaints ... to the precinct, to 311, to our elected officials," Carter said.
Testing and sanitation
Members noted expanded testing access. Chenault and others said private providers such as CityMD and some hospital facilities were offering tests and antibody tests; Lenox Hill (Lenox Health) was scheduled to be on an "ask-the-experts" panel the following evening to answer public questions. Michael reported overflowing park garbage receptacles during an evening in Washington Square Park and urged sanitation planning for increased outdoor eating.
No enforcement changes or new resources were approved in the meeting; members requested follow-up with the local precinct and sanitation garage to better understand complaint volumes and refuse capacity.
