Empty tables for indoor dining at the Chelsea Square Diner in Chelsea in New York on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 on the first day of allowed indoor dining. Restaurants are required to only be at 25% capacity with a host of other restrictions. (ÂPhoto by Richard B. Levine)
NY: Indoor dining arrives in New York during the pandemic
Are you excited that indoor dining is going up to 50% capacity in NYC?
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that indoor dining will expand from 35% to 50% capacity beginning March 19.
NEW: Beginning March 19, restaurants in NYC will expand indoor dining to 50%.
NJ restaurants will likewise expand to 50% capacity on March 19 @GovMurphy and I will work together to protect the public health.
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 10, 2021
The state of New Jersey will do the same, increasing its indoor capacity to 50% on March 19.
NEW: @NYGovCuomo and I just announced that New Jersey and New York City will both expand indoor dining capacity to 50% beginning March 19th.
Our states will continue to work together to protect the health of as many residents as possible. pic.twitter.com/DBBjhCs20K
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 10, 2021
In a press release, Cuomo states, “in New York State, our decisions are based on science and data and we are encouraged by the continued decline in infection and hospitalization rates.”
There have been calls for an increase in the number of customers who can eat inside of New York City restaurants as the guideline of 35% capacity has not been enough for some restaurant owners’ to make ends meet.
