NY Officials Applaud Loosening Restrictions On Dining, Catering

LONG ISLAND, NY — It's good news for businesses as Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that the midnight curfew would be removed for outdoor dining areas, beginning on May 17, and on indoor areas, starting on May 31.

In addition, the 1 a.m. curfew for catered events where those attending have proof of vaccination status or a negative COVID-19 test will be lifted May 17; the curfew for all catered events will be lifted May 31, he said.

Also, catered events can begin again at homes beginning on May 3 above the state's residential gathering limit of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, as long as the events are staffed by a professional, licensed caterer, permitted by the respective locality or municipality, and strictly adhere to health and safety guidance, including social and event gathering limits, masks, and social distancing.

Seating at bars will also be allowed on May 3 in New York City, consistent with the food services guidance in effect statewide.

Also on May 3, the guidance for dancing at catered events will be aligned with neighboring states, replacing fixed dance zones for each table with social distancing and masks, Cuomo said.

"We know the COVID positivity rate is a function of our behavior, and over the last year New Yorkers have remained disciplined and continued with the practices we know work to stop the spread of the virus," Cuomo said. "Everything we've been doing is working — all the arrows are pointing in the right direction and now we're able to increase economic activity even more. Lifting these restrictions for restaurants, bars and catering companies will allow these businesses that have been devastated by the pandemic to begin to recover as we return to a new normal in a post-pandemic world."

He emphasized that progress will only continue if people are vaccinated. "It is the weapon that will win the war and we need everyone to take it, otherwise we risk going backward," he said.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc had joined East Hampton catering business owners in appealing to Cuomo for fair, equitable treatment to protect what he said is a key economic sector.

The previous limits under COVID safety regulations for catered events at home, allowing a maximum of 25 people outdoors and 10 people indoors, were viewed as unnecessarily restrictive while gathering limits at commercial venues allowed groups of 100 inside, 200 out, and larger groups with testing protocols, Van Scoyoc said.

“The disparity between the size of groups allowed at residences versus commercial event venues appeared arbitrary and unrelated to the legitimate health concerns regarding groups of people gathering together," Van Scoyoc said. "The threat of COVID-19 is not greater in one setting versus another when the same health protocols are followed.”

Van Scoyoc said he had fought for review and revision of the state rule, raising the
matter with Cuomo’s representatives and with regional town supervisors, facilitating a
letter to the governor from the East End Supervisors and Mayors Association, and participating
in an industry roundtable discussion with local business owners.

Local caterers, florists, and those who rent party equipment were also hit hard and fought for the change, Van Scoyoc said.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran also applauded the announcement: “This is great news for restaurants and hospitality businesses, who’ve been following the rules and are just trying to get by. The more people we can get vaccinated, the quicker we’ll be able to get rid of all restrictions and fully reopen our economy.”