Restaurants outside New York City will be able to open at 75 percent capacity starting March 19, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Sunday.
Restaurants had previously been at 50 percent. Those in the city will remain at 35 percent.
“Our fight in the war against COVID-19 continues, but we are encouraged by the decrease in infection and hospitalization rates and the rise in vaccinations,” Governor Cuomo said. “As we expand our vaccine distribution and celebrate the arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, we have never been closer to defeating this beast once and for all. It is critical that New Yorkers not succumb to COVID fatigue and remain vigilant. Until the day the war is won, we all need to continue the practices we know work – washing hands, social distancing and masking up. The numbers are a reflection of our actions and when we work together, we will see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Marie Michele Destil, owner of Gingerbites, a Haitian Caribbean bistro, said, “That’s good. It’s going to give us a chance. We’re all hurting, everyone is, but now we’ll be able to do have (more) customers here.”
Cuomo noted that other states have begun allowing restaurants to fully reopen, including Connecticut to 100 percent March 19., and Massachusetts 100 percent restaurant capacity on March 1.
License Suspended at Huntington Bar Over Covid-19 Regulations