Cuomo loosens restrictions on restaurants, but industry wants more
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Revelers celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at McGeary’s Irish Pub in Albany on Saturday, March 14, 2020, despite the cancellation of the annual parade to help stop the spread of the coronavirus (Jim Franco/Special to the Times Union.)James Franco
ALBANY Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has loosened COVID-19 rules on sporting events, bars, restaurants and other businesses throughout the spring, but Republicans and owners of drinking and dining establishments say it s time to ditch the curfews and restrictions altogether.
Throughout the fall, Cuomo said repeatedly that contact tracing data showed smaller, informal gatherings and not bars and restaurants fueled the spread of the virus. But restrictions remain even as the infection rate has decreased from the holiday peak and millions of New Yorkers are vaccinated. The curfew for bars and restaurants was this week extended to midnight, which means they must s
The restaurants that sued New York State over Governor Andrew Cuomo s restrictions under an Orange Zone classification have been given the green light to reopen. Yesterday, January 13, 2021, New York Supreme Court Judge Henry Nowak announced that the restaurants can temporarily reopen indoor dining, according to WKBW. The decision is temporary and the restaurants must follow yellow zone restrictions. Only four people will be allowed per table, both indoors and outdoors, under Yellow Zone rules. Bars and restaurants also must close indoor and outdoor dining by 10 pm, according to the rules provided by NY Forward. A decision on whether the restaurants can keep indoor dining open permanently is expected next week. Make sure you download the free WBLK app for Android or iPhone and turn on your notifications to get an update on the decision.