ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday during his COVID-19 press briefing that they will extend the 11 p.m. curfew for food and drinks until midnight.
The new guidelines will go in effect April 19.
For catered events, the curfew goes from midnight to 1 a.m.
The governor also announced the state is updating its guidance for horse and auto racing. Beginning April 23, spectators will be allowed at horse races at 20 percent capacity for outdoor events.
Health and safety protocols will still apply, as with other sporting events. Fans will have to wear face masks and practice social distancing. You will also have to provide proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test.
The governor cautions New Yorkers not to get cocky: "The disease is still very much with us. You see it escalating in some states, you see it escalating in some countries. So, we have to stay smart until COVID is crushed, and it won't be crushed until we get herd immunity."
On Thursday, there was another public call to get rid of the state's curfew altogether.
Several assembly Republicans joined restaurant owners today for a virtual news conference, including one local owner who says that taking away the late night crowd is a huge blow financially to her business and her employees.
Meanwhile, the New York State Restaurant Association also provided 2 On Your Side a statement on the move to slide the current curfew from 11 p.m. to midnight.
"While the later curfew is welcome news, restaurants and their bottom lines are still a long way from reaching pre-pandemic levels. We continue to urge the state to loosen the restrictions, like the burdensome food with alcohol requirement, that are making it impossible for many to turn a profit and make up for a year of devastation," the statement read.