Say goodbye to cheese sandwiches and “Cuomo chips,” because NY’s food-with-alcohol mandate is ending soon!
As more and more reopening measures are put in place, and as NYC hits its lowest COVID-19 positivity rate since November and lowest hospitalizations since December, the rule that required bars to serve a food item with any alcoholic beverage will be suspended by New York Legislature shortly.
The rule was part of an executive order enacted by Governor Cuomo in July 2020, hoping to curb late-night partiers and crowds. At the time, many bars were upset about it since their establishments weren’t equipped to handle food service. Still, they got creative, serving everything from a bag of chips to popcorn to PB&J’s in plastic baggies, harkening back to elementary school meals.
NYS Legislature officials said on Tuesday (April 27) that they would “move to suspend the pandemic directive” today, according to the New York Times. A Cuomo advisor also told the newspaper that they are “in the process of implementing [the lifting of the mandate] in the coming days.”
This comes after Cuomo extended the bar and restaurant curfew from 11 p.m. to midnight, and also expanded indoor dining capacity for NYC restaurants to 50% (35%).
For old times’ sake, check out our List Of The Most Random Foods NYC Bars Are Serving To Meet Cuomo’s Meal Requirement. Will you miss them?
featured image source: Instagram / @doordivebedstuy