Syndication: Phoenix
Albany, NY (77WABC) — Just in time for Memorial Day and the sunshine — after dreary weather, New York State’s restriction on indoor dining curfew ends on Monday night!
It marks the end of the coronavirus restrictions, imposed on restaurants for over a year. Governor Cuomo first announcing lifting curfew restrictions back on April 28th after continued declining positivity rates and the increase of New Yorkers receiving vaccination shots for COVID-19.
“During the month of May we took major steps towards reopening our economy and as of May 31, we are lifting the midnight curfew on indoor dining for bars and restaurants across New York,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Along with curfews on restaurants and bars ending, curfews on indoor catering will also be ending at midnight. The lifting of the curfew couldn’t come at a better time for the industry — after a tumultuous year of unemployment insurance increases, surviving the shutdown of the pandemic, and then the restrictions which cost restaurants incredible revenue because they had to close during their most peak times.
The New York Restaurant Association tweeted out their support for the lifted restriction on Monday.
Starting today, the curfew for food and beverage service is lifted for all indoor dining areas. The curfew for all catered events is also lifted. pic.twitter.com/EHx8UPQJ2T
— NYS Restaurant Association (@NYSRA) May 31, 2021
The opening of restaurants all evening and into the night comes as both New York City and New York State positivity rates are below one-percent — for the first time since last summer. The statewide positivity rate is currently at 0.69-percent, while New York City’s positivity rate stands at 0.86%.
New York Restaurant and Bar Owners are hoping the lift of this curfew will lead to an economic charge the state and the city desperately needs.
Most restaurant owners say the extra outdoor dining space will help boost business. So far, the city plans to keep the makeshift outdoor dining spaces.
