ANKARA

Hundreds gathered in New York City late Wednesday to protest the arrest of a bar owner who violated coronavirus measures by continuing indoor services.

The people who assembled outside the pub shouted slogans in favor of the owner and played music. They were carrying American flags and banners, and one of the placards read: "All small business is essential!"

A video footage showed a majority of the protesters were not wearing masks, and none of them practicing social distancing.

Since Nov. 13, bars and restaurants in NYC are not allowed to serve indoors, and are supposed to close by 10 p.m.

New York has registered nearly 297,000 infections and more than 19,600 related deaths, according to the latest data by city authorities.

The US has the highest COVID-19 caseload, and linked fatalities in the world.