New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will lift many capacity limits brought on by the Covid-19 epidemic on May 19.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Monday that business capacity limits would be replaced with space available to keep social distancing rules in place in New York and in New Jersey.
The limit on outdoor social events will increase to 500 on May 10 in New York and indoor social gathering limits to 250 on May 19.
The outdoor limit on residential events is lifted and indoor residential limits will increase to 50 at the same time.
Indoor venue limits at large-scale facilities will increase to 30 percent and outdoor venue to 33 percent, with proof of vaccination or recent negative test still required.
The governors said the limits were expanding because of the recent decline on cases and hospitalization, and the increase in vaccinations.
“The tide is turning against COVID-19 in New York, and thanks to our increasing vaccination rates, as well as our successful, data-based regional approach, we’re able to take more steps to reopen our economy, help businesses and workers, and keep moving towards returning to normal,” Cuomo said.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said, “With our COVID-19 numbers, particularly hospitalizations, trending decisively in the right direction and our vaccination goals within reach, now is the time to take major steps to reopen our economy and loosen both indoor and outdoor gathering and capacity restrictions. We’ve done this the right way, in partnership with our neighboring states of New York and Connecticut, and by allowing data, science, and public health to guide our decision-making.”
Commercial and social events in New York—such as those at venues that host sports competitions, performing arts and live entertainment, and catered receptions—can exceed the social gathering limits of 500 people outdoors or 250 people indoors if everyone over age of four shows either proof of full vaccination status or a recent negative COVID-19 test result and social distancing can be accommodated.