NYC Reopening Updates

Last week, Mayor de Blasio announced that New York City is on its way to being fully reopened, and with new information released by Governor Cuomo and the State, it's happening soon! See below for a timeline on what will be changing in the near future. 

As of Monday, May 3: Bar seating is permitted at restaurants and bars, and catered events can resume at residences in accordance with State’s reopening guidelines. Additionally, New York legislators have suspended the pandemic directive that required customers to order food when purchasing alcohol at bars and restaurants.

On Friday, May 7: Indoor dining in NYC will expand to 75% capacity, along with hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services.

On Monday, May 10: The limit on outdoor residential gatherings will be removed. The outdoor social gathering limit will increase from 200 to 500. Congregate commercial and social events, such as sports, performing arts, entertainment catered reception venues, can exceed the social gathering limits of 500 people outdoors or 250 people indoors if all attendees over the age of four present proof of a full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result. 

On Saturday, May 15: New York City gyms and fitness centers and casinos can expand to 50% capacity, and offices will expand to 75% capacity. .

On Monday, May 17: The 12:00am outdoor dining area curfew for bars and restaurants will be lifted, and the 1:00am curfew for catered events where attendees have proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result will be lifted. And the MTA will be resuming 24-hour subway service.

On Wednesday, May 19: Most industry capacity limits will be lifted completely, including bars and restaurants, hair salons, gyms, offices, retail stores, museums, entertainment centers, theaters and more.

Large-scale indoor event venues can increase capacity from 10% to 30%. Large-scale outdoor event venues can operate at 33% capacity.

Indoor social gathering limit will increase from 100 to 250 people. Indoor residential gathering limit will increase from 10 to 50 people. Any event in excess of the social gathering limits may occur if all individuals present proof of full vaccination status or a recent negative COVID-19 result.

On Monday, May 31: The 12:00am indoor area curfew for bars and restaurants will be lifted. The curfew for all catered events will be lifted completely.

Information is changing rapidly. Visit the ny.gov and nyc.gov for the latest updates. 

Photo credit: Elena Olivo