Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday announced that dining curfews will ease in May, and that large catered events may resume at private homes, even as certain other restrictions remain in place.
The midnight curfew for outdoor dining at restaurants ends May 17 and for indoor dining areas on May 31, the governor said. Catered events can resume at residences beginning May 1 above the state’s residential gathering limit of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, the governor said.
Shelter Island Town Supervisor Gerry Siller joined with other members of the East End Supervisors and Mayors Association to request the change regarding catered events at private homes. The association sent a letter to the governor on March 26 calling for expanded capacity for catering at residential events, which are a mainstay of summer life here.
Caterers and related businesses and the local people they employ face “dire circumstances” heading into a second summer of curtailed gatherings, the association said in its letter. Here on Shelter Island, nonprofits rely heavily on private properties as venues for catered fundraisers and, as elsewhere, some families prefer to host weddings and other catered celebrations at home.
Capacity will also increase for gyms and fitness centers to 50 percent and offices to 75 percent, and, in New York City, bar service will resume, “consistent with the food services guidance that is in effect statewide.”
New rules for catered events
Under the new directives, catered events can resume at residences beginning May 3 above the state’s residential gathering limit of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, as long as the events:
- are staffed by a professional, licensed caterer
- are permitted by the respective locality or municipality
- strictly adhere to health and safety guidance, including social and event gathering limits, masks, and social distancing
As of March 22, the state has permitted capacity at commercial venues without “testing and other advanced health protocols,” of up to 100 people indoors or 200 outdoors, or, with “testing and other advanced health protocols,” and, as of April 2, up to 150 indoors or 500 people outdoors with “testing and other advanced health protocols.”
On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo also announced that the 1 AM curfew for catered events where attendees have provided proof of vaccination status or a recent negative COVID-19 test result will be lifted beginning May 17, with the curfew for all catered events set to be lifted May 31.
Also on May 3, the guidance for dancing among attendees at catered events will be aligned with neighboring states, replacing fixed dance zones for each table with social distancing and masks.
Steady decline in NY’s COVID-19 rate
Like other recent measures to further re-open the economy, the latest easing of restrictions comes amid a steady decline in New York’s COVID-19 positivity rate. The COVID-19 positivity rate was about 1.8 percent statewide Wednesday and 2.2 percent in Suffolk County.
What’s more, about 44 percent of New York state residents have reportedly received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital gave the second round of vaccinations on Wednesday to Shelter Islanders enrolled in the second point of distribution at the school. Over 1,000 people have been vaccinated during these two local initiatives.
The governor also announced that starting May 3, seating at bars will be allowed in New York City, in keeping with practices elsewhere in the state. Right now, restaurants outside the city may operate at 75 percent capacity indoors, so long as tables are appropriately separated. Bar seating is permitted, so long as social distancing is maintained.
“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,” the governor said in announcing the changes.
“To be clear: we will only be able to maintain this progress if everyone gets the COVID vaccine,” he said. “It is the weapon that will win the war and we need everyone to take it, otherwise we risk going backward.”
Other measures
On April 26, NYS announced spectator capacity at large-scale outdoor event venues, including professional and collegiate sports and live performing arts and entertainment, will increase from 20 to 33 percent beginning May 19.
This increase will coincide with the previously announced increase in large-scale indoor event venue capacity. Social distancing, masks, health screenings and all other state health and safety protocols remain in effect.
The governor said Wednesday that capacities will be increased in industries that have proven capable of safely reopening in accordance with the state’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. Among the measures, starting May 15:
- Gyms and fitness centers outside of New York City will increase from 33 percent to 50 capacity
- Casinos and gaming facilities will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent capacity
- Offices will increase from 50 percent to 75 percent capacity
