New York wedding venues sue state governor over COVID-19 restrictions

Table setup at a wedding

A law firm has filed a class action against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on behalf of all New York State wedding venues over the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.

Buffalo-based firm Rupp Baase said it filed the class action on behalf of all “restaurant, banquet, catering, and dining facilities in New York State with a maximum occupancy greater than 100 that follow the “Interim Guidance for Food Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency,” yet are prohibited from hosting wedding dinners for more than 50 individuals.”

So far, more than 1,000 venues across the state have signed onto the class action, according to WIVB 4.

“At present, you can gather in crowds to protest in New York, but you can’t get married if you want to invite more than 50 guests,” the attorney who filed the suit, Chad Davenport, told the New York Post.

“It makes no sense, but it’s also a constitutional law question.”

The suit argues that the entire industry could collapse if Cuomo’s executive order limiting social gatherings to 50 people or less isn’t lifted.

It follows a similar case filed by a couple who were represented by Davenport last month, who claimed Cuomo’s order was unfairly applied to weddings while protests, graduations and restaurants have seen larger crowds.

The New York Post reported that the couple has lost an appeal to allow 175 people to attend their wedding.


Featured image source: iStock/Madhatter101

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