Music & Games

New York music and amusement leader calls for government support in response to rising COVID-19

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January 4, 2022

Ken Goldberg, principal owner of Emerson Amusement of Woodside, Queens and president of the Amusement and Music Owners Association of New York, has called on government to allow bars, clubs and entertainment centers to provide curbside alcoholic beverages and bottle service in response to rising COVID-19 infections. Goldberg stated his position in a guest article in amNY.

Resurging COVID-19 has caused bars, entertainment centers and other establishments to close on account of consumer health fears and insufficient staff.

The NYS Liquor Authority has posted onerous information on its website concerning opening a bar or club, Goldberg stated. This, in combination with the NYC website, present extensive bureaucratic hurdles to opening a business that serves alcohol.

Goldberg further calls on NYS Liquor Authority and law enforcement to stop penalizing establishments for slight infractions.

Government agencies should work to safeguard businesses against threats from criminals, the mentally ill and the homeless, Goldberg added.