And the COVID-19 restrictions just keep dropping!
After announcing that 24/7 subway service would be returning to NYC on May 17 (the same day all dining curfews end in NYC), Governor Cuomo said that most of the state (and city’s) capacity limits and restrictions would also be ending this month. Basically, that NYC’s “fully reopening” would be coming even sooner than Mayor de Blasio’s declared date of July 1.
In conjunction with New Jersey and Connecticut, New York will ease most pandemic restrictions.
First, starting May 19, most business capacities will be lifted. Basically, instead of basing it on maximum capacity (only opening at 50%, 75%, etc.), it will instead be based on the ability of the space to maintain six feet between parties. “This new distance-based maximum capacity will apply across commercial settings, including retail, food services, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services, among other settings. It will also apply in houses of worship,” the statement reads.
The tide is turning against COVID & we are ready for a major reopening:
✅Most industry capacity limits to be lifted on 5/19
✅Limit on outdoor residential gatherings to be removed on 5/10
✅New capacity increases for indoor & outdoor venuesNY is coming back!
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 3, 2021
For outdoor social gatherings, the limit will increase from 200 to 500 people starting May 10; and on May 19, indoor social gatherings can increase from 100 to 250 people. In addition, outdoor residential gatherings will no longer to limited to 25 (instead it will adhere to the limit of 500 people for social gatherings). Indoor residential gatherings will increase from 10 to 50 people. If all guests are vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test, you can have an event that exceeds the social gathering limit.
For event venues: large-scale indoor event venues can move up to 30 percent capacity (up from 10%); large-scale outdoor events can move to 33 percent. Of course, social distancing of face masks are still required.
For large stadiums, social gathering limits of 500 people outdoors or 250 people indoors can be exceeded “if all attendees over the age of four present either proof of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result and the required social distancing can be accommodated.”
You can read more specific details on the new lifting of restrictions here.featured image source: Unsplash