Microcluster Restrictions Lifted On LI; Restaurant Curfew Stays

LONG ISLAND, NY — With coronavirus positivity rates continuing to decline, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that restrictions would be lifted in all orange zones and most yellow zones across New York State, including all communities on Long Island, where the positivity rate remained the highest statewide at 6.83 percent.

However, those hoping to see the 10 p.m. curfew for restaurants lifted in time for Super Bowl Sunday will have to wait, Cuomo said.

On Long Island, microcluster zones in Riverhead, Hampton Bays, Great Neck, and Massapequa Park were lifted.

The only areas where yellow zones still exist are the Bronx, Washington Heights, Queens and Newburgh, Cuomo said.

In a yellow zone, houses of worship could only operate at 50 percent capacity; mass gatherings could include only 25 people or more indoors and outdoors; indoor and outdoor dining allowed only four people per table; and schools remained open, with weekly testing of 20 percent of students and teachers/staff for in-person settings.

Local leaders on Long Island reacted: "That is good news. It shows we are moving in the right direction," said Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman; Hampton Bays, in Southampton Town, was a yellow zone. "But it is not time yet to let down our guard. There is still significant community spread."

And said Supervisor Yvette Aguiar in Riverhead, where a yellow zone was also lifted: "I am happy to report, positivity levels in Riverhead are now declining. Now, more than ever, the public needs to strictly adhere to all COVID-19 protocol, while we await widespread vaccination. I am hopeful we are entering into the recovery stage of the pandemic.”

Cuomo said with the predicted holiday surge over, facts and science indicated that it was safe to begin lifting restrictions and loosening the valves to allow for increased economic activity. When asked about the unknowns posed by new variants, Cuomo said the vaccine was the only answer and that data could change in the future. He also added that hospital capacity remains the most critical issue, as does vaccination of hospital staff.

A decision will be made this week on whether to allow indoor dining back in New York City at 25 percent, Cuomo said; the news comes after lawsuits filed by restaurant owners about the restrictions.

"I understand the economic devastation," Cuomo said. Cuomo added that opening restaurants in New York City would mean a boon to the economy and less reliance on the $15 billion needed in federal aid.

When asked about lifting the 10 p.m. curfew — a number of industry leaders and at least one Long Island lawmaker have asked that the curfew be lifted in time for Super Bowl Sunday, Cuomo said: "That is something we are looking at, but not at this time. If you listen to the federal guidance, when you keep restaurants open late that tends to be more problematic — more crowding, more drinking. At this time we are not changing the curfew."