indoor dining

The city says it’ll spend the next month helping owners acclimate to the new requirement, which could ensure many — but not all — indoor patrons are vaccinated against COVID.

Governor Andrew Cuomo trumped Mayor Bill de Blasio by announcing that most capacity restrictions for businesses, restaurants and cultural venues would be lifted by May 19th.

In addition, hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services will also expand to 75% capacity beginning May 7th. And NYC gyms and fitness centers will expand to 50% capacity beginning May 15th.

This will be the largest increase in restaurant capacity in NYC since the start of the pandemic.

“Restricting any on-premises dining at restaurants can help limit community transmission of COVID-19 and reduce case and death growth rates,” the CDC said, along with strict and consistent mask policies.

Beyond the estimated 100 employees who are currently furloughed and will lose their jobs, the closure will have “significant downstream effect” on Chinatown's economy, an union representative said.

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This comes two weeks after indoor dining at any capacity returned to the city at 25%.

The safest option is skipping indoor spaces with strangers, but there are also ways to reduce the coronavirus risk if you decide to go.

Restaurant workers said that iffy weather, nervousness, and people leaving town for the long weekend led to lighter-than-expected crowds.