The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA), in partnership with the New York State Liquor Authority, announced a joint effort to protect frontline restaurant and delivery workers with the distribution of 900,000 facemasks.
“We’re pleased to partner with the State Liquor Authority to make sure our members, restaurant employees and delivery workers around the state have access to facemasks. While we don’t yet know what restaurants will look like when the economy begins to reopen, we’re committed to sanitary practices that would keep our employees and customers safe,” said Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association.
The masks are available through Restaurant Depot, Baldor and Sysco, as well as at a number of businesses working with NYSRA: Syracuse Banana in Syracuse, Rohrbach Brewing Company in Rochester, Lupo’s Bottling Company in Kirkwood and Fischer Foods in Congers.
Additionally, distribution events will be held at the following NYSRA member locations:
Wednesday, May 13
* Metro NYC — Antun’s, 96-43 Springfield Blvd, Queens Village, 11am – 2pm
* Western NY — Buffalo Bisons/Sahlen Field, 12pm – 3pm
Monday, May 18
* Long Island — Havana Central, 630 Old Country Rd, Garden City, 11am – 2pm
* Greater Capital Region — Olde Bryan Inn, 123 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, 11am – 2pm
Tuesday, May 19
* Lower Hudson Valley — Westchester Marriott, 670 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown, 11am – 2pm
Wednesday, May 20
* Metro NYC — Marco Polo, 345 Court St, Brooklyn, 1pm – 4pm
* Rochester — Rochester Public Market, 280 Union St. N, 12pm – 3pm
The masks are part of a shipment of seven million from FEMA and HHS to New York State as part of a multi-pronged approach to re-open American economic activity while continuing to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Requested facemasks will be distributed over the coming days and weeks through the food distribution companies near where the business is located, with distribution continuing while supplies last.
The initiative is intended to help businesses comply with the governor’s Executive Order requiring New Yorkers to wear a mask of face covering when out in public and in situations where social distancing is not possible.
