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Governor Cuomo Announces Easing of COVID-19 Pandemic
Restrictions on Businesses, Gatherings and Venues
Published: May 04, 2021 at 12:00 a.m.
By: Press Release from Governor Cuomo’s Office
Governor Cuomo,
Governor Murphy and Governor Lamont Announce Significant Easing Of COVID-19
Pandemic Restrictions on Businesses, Gatherings and Venues
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to Lift Most Industry
Capacity Restrictions Beginning May 19 Given Vaccination Progress and
COVID-19 Case Decline
Business Capacity
Limits to Be Replaced with Space Available to Maintain Six Feet of Social
Distancing on May 19 in New York and New Jersey
Outdoor Social
Gathering Limit Increases to 500 on May 10 in New York; Indoor Social
Gathering Limit Increases to 250 on May 19 in New York
Outdoor
Residential Gathering Limit is Removed and Indoor Residential Gathering
Limit Increases to 50 on May 19 in New York
Large-Scale
Indoor Venue Capacity Increases to 30% and Large-Scale Outdoor Venue
Capacity Increases to 33% on May 19, Proof of Vaccination or Recent
Negative Test Still Required in New York
Governor Andrew
M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned
Lamont today announced a significant easing of COVID-19 pandemic
restrictions on the region's businesses, venues and gatherings given
significant progress in vaccinations and sustained reduction in COVID-19
cases and hospitalizations.
"The tide is
turning against COVID-19 in New York, and thanks to our increasing
vaccination rates, as well as our successful, data-based regional approach,
we're able to take more steps to reopen our economy, help businesses and
workers, and keep moving towards returning to normal," Governor Cuomo
said. "Thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers and our partners in
government, we are now able to increase capacity limits for businesses,
event venues and residences to reflect what we're seeing in the COVID data.
Maintaining this progress is critical and in order to
keep moving in a positive direction, New Yorkers must continue to take all
the proper precautions. If we let up now, we could slide backwards and that
is something nobody wants. So, let's be safe and for
anyone who has yet to be vaccinated, please do so as soon as you can. With
the addition of walk-in appointments, we've made
it as easy as every to get your shot, so there are truly no excuses."
New York and New
Jersey Announce Today:
Social
Distance-based Business Capacities
Effective May 19,
most business capacities—which are currently based upon percentage of
maximum occupancy—will be removed in New York and New Jersey. Businesses
will only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of
patrons to maintain the required social distance of 6 feet. 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.
Increase in
Social and Residential Gathering Limits
In New York
beginning May 10, the outdoor social gathering limit will increase from 200
to 500 people. Beginning May 19, the indoor social gathering limit will
increase from 100 to 250 people. Also, the outdoor residential
gathering limit of 25 people will be removed, reverting to the social
gathering limit of 500 people with space for appropriate social distancing,
and the indoor residential gathering limit will increase from 10 to 50
people. In New York, any event gatherings in excess of
the social gathering limits may only occur if all individuals present proof
of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result.
Event Venues
Congregate
commercial and social events in New York—such as those at venues that host
sports competitions, performing arts and live entertainment, and catered
receptions—can exceed the social gathering limits of 500 people outdoors or
250 people indoors 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.
Starting May 19,
large-scale indoor event venues will operate at 30 percent capacity,
which is an increase from the current 10 percent capacity
limit. Large-scale outdoor event venues will operate at 33
percent. Social distancing, masks, and other applicable health protocols
will still apply, including the requirement of attendee proof of full
vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test result.
Industry
Reopening Requirements
While most
industry capacity restrictions will be lifted, industry-specific
requirements will remain in effect for a longer period of
time, including state or local health authority event notification,
health screening, contact information for tracing, enhanced air handling
and building system standards, hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning and
disinfection protocols. The State will continue to provide additional
guidance on these provisions as they apply to each industry.
Today's
announcement builds on Governor Cuomo's recent measures to further
reopen the economy amid a steady decline in New York's COVID-19 positivity
and hospitalization rates. On April 30, Governor Cuomo announced that New
York City indoor dining will expand to 75 percent capacity
beginning May 7, bringing New York City in line with the rest of New York.
The Governor also announced that hair salons, barber shops and other
personal care services will expand to 75 percent capacity beginning May 7.
New York City gyms and fitness centers will expand to 50 percent capacity
beginning May 15. On April 28, Governor Cuomo announced that the food
and beverage service, and catered event, curfews would end this
month.
Connecticut
Previously Announced:
- Starting May 1: The elimination of outdoor
restrictions including limits on table sizes, and the requirement that
food be served with alcohol
- Starting May 19: The elimination of all
remaining business restrictions including those on capacity limits at
large event venues in the state
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