COVID NY Update: New York restaurants outside of NYC may increase to 75% capacity on March 19

NEW YORK (WABC) – Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York restaurants outside of NYC will increase capacity to 75% on March 19 – the same day Connecticut lifts many of its restrictions.

“Remember, you have a lot of staff in restaurants, there are a lot of jobs, there are a lot of suppliers, so we’re going to go to 75%,” said Cuomo. “We also think 75% is what the consumer is ready for.”

The move is an increase from its current 50% capacity to dine indoors outside of New York City.

Cuomo did not propose to increase the capacity to 35% in NYC.

Cuomo announced the change when he revealed that he is signing the New York legislature’s emergency force bill passed Friday.

He now cannot issue new directives statewide without the consent of the law, although he can still issue executive orders.

Existing orders will remain in effect, such as mask-wearing requirements, and Cuomo may change existing restrictions such as public meeting and capacity limits.

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