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Governor Cuomo announced the latest round of liquor license suspensions — and a Hell’s Kitchen business is included. The state says these businesses were putting their customers and staff at risk of potential exposure to COVID-19.

“This action should serve as a reminder to the small number of establishments who openly flout the rules that they are putting all New Yorkers at risk, and they will be held accountable,” said the Governor today.

The emergency summary suspension order for their liquor license will remain in effect until a hearing by the State Liquor Authority. Then the businesses could face permanent revocation of their license and fines of up to $10,000 per violation.

Taqueria Diana, on the corner of 9th Avenue and W39th Street, first had a problem on July 28 when investigators visited and found two patrons inside the restaurant.

They subsequently lost their license on September 4, two days after inspectors visited and found five patrons drinking inside and not practicing social distancing. Both the bartender and a kitchen employee were also not wearing masks at the time.

Up to now, over 200 businesses across the state have had their liquor licenses suspended.

We have contacted the management at Taqueria Diana for comment and will update this story.

In an earlier version of this story we published that Kochi on 10th Avenue had lost its license as published by Governor Cuomo today.

“Kochi” at 652 10th Avenue in Manhattan, on September 9, 2020

On September 7th, investigators with the state’s multi-agency task force observed approximately twenty patrons directly outside the premises, standing, drinking and ignoring social distancing regulations, most without facial coverings. Investigators entered the premises and observed approximately thirty patrons and servers inside the premises, in flagrant violation of the Governor’s Executive Order prohibiting indoor dining in New York City since March 16, 2020.

We subsequently spoke to Kochi’s owner/chef Sungchul Shim. He told us: “We got the liquor license back yesterday. We were closed on that Monday for a personal private party and we wore double masks. People didn’t drink. The people inside were waiting for the host-guest to celebrate him.”

We have asked the Governor’s Press Office for a response/correction.