NY to lift bar, restaurant, catering curfews, allow NYC bar seating: Cuomo
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York state will eliminate more of its pandemic-related restrictions throughout the month of May, including its curfew for bars, restaurants and catered events and its ban on bar seating in the five boroughs, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday.
The following restrictions will be lifted next month, Cuomo said in a press release:
May 3
• Bar seating will be allowed in New York City, "consistent with the food service guidance that is in effect statewide."
• Catered events with more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors will be allowed to resume at private homes, with health and safety precautions and a "professional, licensed caterer."
• Dance floors will be allowed at catered events, with masks and social distancing.
May 17
• The 12 a.m. curfew for outdoor dining areas will be lifted.
• The 1 a.m. curfew for catered events where attendees have proof of a vaccine or recent negative COVID-19 test will be lifted.
May 31
• The 12 a.m. curfew for indoor dining areas will be lifted.
• The curfew for all catered events will be lifted.
"We know the COVID positivity rate is a function of our behavior, and over the last year New Yorkers have remained disciplined and continue with the practices we know work to stop the spread of the virus," Cuomo said in a statement.
"Lifting these restrictions for restaurants, bars and catering companies will allow these businesses that have been devastated by the pandemic to begin to recover as we return to a new normal in a post-pandemic world," he added.
