Reopening & COVID-19 Updates: February 2021

Over the past few weeks, there have been a number of updates to the New York Forward plan regarding reopening, COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and more.

As of Friday, February 26, patron capacity for indoor dining at restaurants and other food service establishments in New York City will increase to 35%. Establishments may also still offer outdoor dining, pick-up and delivery.

• What Food Service Establishments Need to Know About Indoor Dining (PDF, February 10)
• Checklist for Food Service Establishments Offering Indoor Food Service (PDF, February 12)
• More information about the updated hours restriction
• New York State Interim Guidance for NYC Indoor Food Services (PDF)

As of Friday, March 5, movie theaters will be allowed to reopen at 25% capacity with no more than 50 people per screen. The Governor said that in addition to capacity limits, reopening guidelines will include mandatory masks, assigned seating, and enhanced ventilation and air filtration. See the Governor's tweet about it here.

Pool and billiard halls are also set to reopen on March 5. They will be able to open at 35% capacity in New York City. Additionally, guidance is also being released for weddings and catered events which are scheduled to resume on Monday, March 15. Click here to read an announcement about these updates.

Launched on Friday, February 19, the NY Forward Rapid Test Program is a public-private partnership designed to expand rapid testing sites across New York State with the goal of building consumer confidence. This new network of testing centers will provide New Yorkers with convenient access to low-cost COVID-19 rapid tests that will help to safely accelerate reopening of the state’s economy, including the cultural sector and event economy. Click here for more information.

Announced in early February, Open Culture is a new permit type available from the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office allowing for ticketed performances. Arts and cultural institutions, as well as entertainment venues, will have the opportunity to secure a permit for single day, socially distanced performances at over 100 street locations throughout all five boroughs. Applications open on Monday, March 1 at 12:00pm and the program will run through October 31, 2021.The guidelines will be finalized and go into effect following the finalization of the Open Culture rules that are scheduled for a public hearing on February 26, 2021. Click here to read more about the draft guidelines and program.

NY PopsUp, a festival initiative featuring hundreds of pop-up performances meant to jumpstart the state's live entertainment industry, launched on Saturday, February 20 at the Javits Center and will continue through Labor Day at venues across the state. Click here to access the official NY PopsUp website for a newly posted FAQ about the festival. Stay tuned as more is announced.  

As reopening guidelines continue to change we will do our best to disseminate helpful information. Click here to opt into COVID-19 and vaccine updates from New York State.

Other resources:

• General COVID-19 NYC Portal
• Data on positive COVID-19 cases in NYC
• COVID-19 Testing Sites 
• Vaccine Command Center - Coronavirus (nyc.gov)
• Updated guidance on face coverings (PDF) from The Health Department 
• Guidance on Coronavirus Resources and Warnings about Consumer Scams | New York State Attorney General (ny.gov)

Photo credit: Bar Boulud