This article was first published on ilovetheupperwestside.com.
Governor Cuomo has announced in a press release that the current curfew for bars and restaurants will soon be lifted, and that NYC patrons will soon be able to sit at bar counters.
Starting on May 3, bar seating will be allowed again (after more than a year), and private catered events at apartments can resume with a “gathering limit of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.”
The midnight food and beverage service curfew will be lifted for outdoor dining areas beginning May 17 and for indoor dining areas beginning May 31.NEW: Beginning May 17, the 12am outdoor dining area curfew for bars & restaurants will be lifted.
The 12am indoor area curfew will be lifted on May 31.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) April 28, 2021
These changes come after many small steps, including earlier curfews of 8pm and 10pm and the return of indoor dining at a 25% capacity on Valentine’s Day.
In a statement, Cuomo said that “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. To be clear: we will only be able to maintain this progress if everyone gets the COVID vaccine. It is the weapon that will will the war and we need everyone to take it, otherwise we risk going backward.”
Meanwhile, another press release states that Mayor de Blasio is aiming to have NYC fully reopened by July 1, and he’s tapping restaurateur Danny Meyer as the new chair for the New York City Economic Development Corporation board.
Meyer expressed appreciation for the upcoming curfew lift in a recent tweet.
Can’t overstate how much the imminent lifting of curfew and reinstatement of bar service will benefit restaurants, bars, and our guests. Thanks to our teams and patrons for helping us keep things safe, allowing us take this big step forward! https://t.co/D7ITMg8xfp
— Danny Meyer (@dhmeyer) April 28, 2021
