The meal inside will resume in New York on Friday, February 12, two days earlier than planned, Governor Cuomo announced Monday morning.
Cuomo announced on January 29 that it will allow restaurants to welcome Valentine’s Day tables again with a capacity of 25%.
The industry has backed down, wondering why it has to wait so long and why they couldn’t reopen on Friday, February 12, to make the most of the long holiday weekend.
Restaurant owners have also filed lawsuits against Cuomo and the state, claiming they were unfairly shut down when other parts of the state and country were able to reopen.
On Monday, Cuomo said COVID numbers in the city had finally dropped low enough for restaurants to reopen.
He also unveiled “NY Pops Up” – a plan to begin reopening the art with 300 free “pop-up” celebrity events, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Jackman.
The first of these events is on February 20 at the Javits Center and is a tribute concert to health care workers.
This is how New Yorkers dined at restaurants since Dec. 14, when Cuomo closed the table again after allowing it for months as COVID cases slipped in after Thanksgiving.
New York City has consistently had lower test positive rates than elsewhere in the state, and Manhattan has the lowest number in any neighborhood.
It is unclear whether there will be an audience for that event.
“We will start with pop-up windows, then move on to reopening test sites,” he said.
The events will take place from February to summer, he said, and will “open the way” to permanently reopen Broadway and other places.
Cuomo used the Buffalo Bills playoff game – which allowed 7,000 fans to enter a stadium after first taking COVID quick tests – as proof of how it works.
“There were 7,000 people and there is no evidence of an increased spread by following contacts.
“The stadium was open, but it was 7,000 people and if you can reopen using tests, take the next step,” he said sadly.
The wedding of up to 150 people can be resumed in March, as long as everyone is tested first for COVID.
On Monday, the NYC Hospitality Alliance welcomed the news.
“We congratulate Governor Cuomo for allowing the table to resume indoors in New York on Friday, instead of Sunday, the date originally scheduled.
“This will allow restaurants to generate much-needed revenue from Valentine’s Day weekend activities, much of which they would have lost because the holiday falls on a Sunday this year.
NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that restaurants could reopen the indoor restaurant earlier, after being criticized by industry and restaurant owners
“Advanced openness and better health indicators are welcome news for both the city’s decimated restaurant industry and lovers alike,” CEO Andrew Rigie told DailyMail.com on Monday.
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the news.
“Brooklyn restaurants and industry workers are surviving, and with COVID-19 cases and declining hospitalizations across the city, we support Governor Cuomo’s decision to lift the safe reopening of the 25% occupancy table by Friday before Valentine’s Day.
“Many Brooklynites will now be able to celebrate the holiday at a restaurant earlier in the weekend, offering a few days ahead for small businesses and workers struggling to earn a little more money to support themselves and their families,” Randy Peers said. Brooklyn President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce told DailyMail.com.
Cuomo allowed meals indoors in all other parts of the state months ago, even though the test rate in New York was consistently low compared to other cities.
Manhattan, the neighborhood with the most restaurants and bars per square mile, has been smaller than any other place in the city for months.
His only justification for keeping the restaurants closed was that Manhattan has a dense population, where infections can spread faster.
But he refused to give details to restaurant owners when they asked for them. On Monday, the test positivity rate in Manhattan was 3.48%. In the Bronx, it was 7%.