NYC to Allow Indoor Dining as Coronavirus Rates Remain Low
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced indoor dining in New York City can resume as of September 30, with strict guideline enforcement. The rules limit total occupancy of any establishment to 25 percent, no service at the bar, temperature checks and collecting contact tracing information from patrons.
In a city that never used to sleep with bars and restaurants open until 4 am along with 24-hour diners in pre-pandemic times, all restaurants are now required to close by midnight, no exceptions. To ensure adherence to all compliance rules, the city will provide 400 enforcement officers.
The new rules are effective through November 1, at which time all data will be reviewed. If at that time infection rates do not rise; restaurants may be permitted to increase to 50 per cent capacity. State officials will be monitoring all activity and reassessments will be on an ongoing basis.
Restaurants are also required to post their maximum seating capacity based on their occupancy limit. Anyone witnessing violations of the new rules are encouraged to report it by texting the word VIOLATION to 855-904-5036 or calling 833-208-4160 to ensure safety and positive progress.
Ann Sullivan is a contributing staff writer covering national and world news topics. She brings dedicated experience having written international and domestic news, blogs, and web content for over 20 years. She’s also a published poet and graphic designer with degrees in Business and Graphic Communications and has been a music distributor, music industry sponsorship sales director and band manager.