BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – New York State is now allowing indoor dining at all restaurants that are in the state’s orange zone, just a day after more than 90 restaurants won a lawsuit over the state’s restrictions.
The restaurants in the orange zone will be allowed to operate under the “yellow zone” guidelines.
“We are reviewing the decision,” Kumiki Gibson, Counsel to Governor Cuomo, said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. “While that process is ongoing, to ensure uniformity and fairness, all restaurants operating in Orange Zones can now operate under rules governing Yellow Zones.
We disagree with the court’s decision and its impact on public health as Federal CDC data clearly demonstrates indoor dining increases COVID-19 spread.
From the start of this pandemic, the State has acted based on facts and the advice of public health experts, and we will continue that approach.”
The governor in December said that approximately 1.4% of coronavirus spread came from restaurants.
New York’s announcement comes hours after the Erie County Department of Health said restaurants are allowed to reopen. At the time of the county’s announcement, restaurants still faced the threat of penalty from the New York State Liquor Authority. The state’s announcement alleviated those concerns.