ALBANY, N.Y. — In a conference call Sunday afternoon with reporters, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that restaurants outside of New York City will soon be able to expand their capacity.
Cuomo says since the COVID-19 numbers are down, restaurants will be allowed to expand their indoor capacity limits to 75 percent starting March 19. Currently, restaurants outside of New York City are allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity.
At this time, restaurants in New York City will stay at 35 percent capacity.
"Our fight in the war against COVID-19 continues, but we are encouraged by the decrease in infection and hospitalization rates and the rise in vaccinations," Governor Cuomo said.
"As we expand our vaccine distribution and celebrate the arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, we have never been closer to defeating this beast once and for all. It is critical that New Yorkers not succumb to COVID fatigue and remain vigilant. Until the day the war is won, we all need to continue the practices we know work: washing hands, social distancing, and masking up. The numbers are a reflection of our actions and when we work together, we will see the light at the end of the tunnel."