Expansion of NYC Restaurants’ Indoor Capacity to 75% Goes into Effect Today

     The reopening of New York City keeps moving along today as the restaurant capacity for indoor dining and personal care businesses increases to 75%. 

     The capacity has been at 50% since May 19. Today’s expanded capacity brings the the city in line with the rest of the state, which has been at 75% capacity since March 19 because of lower population density outside of the city. 

     New York City restauranteurs, who have been hit hard by the pandemic, happily welcome the increase in customers.

     In February, when Gov. Cuomo re-opened restaurants to 25%, the New York City Hospitality Alliance reported that 92% of the 400 restaurant owners survey reported that they were not able to pay their rent in December 2020.

     “I think people feel more comfortable knowing that the city is a place where we can have a  higher capacity," one restaurant owner said. "We are just looking forward to people coming back.”

     Earlier in the week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that midnight curfews for outdoor dining will end on May 17, and for indoor dining on May 31.