New York Republicans criticized for unmasked holiday dance party

A spokesman for the State Liquor Authority, one of the agencies that enforce New York’s coronavirus policies in bars and restaurants, said the party was hosted by the Whitestone Republican Club on December 9 at Il Bacco, an Italian restaurant in Queens.

Whitestone Republican Club and Il Bacco did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

“In early December, we held a small meeting observing all the coveted standards in effect at the time,” said the club in a Facebook post. “All participants were instructed to wear a mask and everyone had one when entering or received one.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo, who said he watched the video, thought otherwise.

“Conga lines are not smart,” said Cuomo during a news conference on Tuesday. “Why would you do a unmasked Covid conga line in the middle of a Covid pandemic – whatever your political beliefs – defies logical explanation, as far as I’m concerned.”

Restaurants were allowed to open at 25% capacity at the time of the Republican holiday party – days before Cuomo banned restaurants in closed locations across the city.

According to the restaurant’s website, Il Bacco has a capacity for 160 people in its cafeterias.

The State Liquor Authority said the organization was investigating the restaurant.