Cuomo: NYC Indoor Dining May Open Feb. 14

New York City restaurants can reopen limited indoor dining on February 14 if COVID infection rates continue to improve, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday.

Cuomo said that “on our current trajectory,” indoor dining in the city will be able to reopen at 25% of maximum capacity on February 14. But he cautioned that the decision will be “based on facts, based on the numbers.”

The statewide COVID-test positivity rate Thursday was 4.65%, the lowest since December 11. The 7-day average Thursday was 5.35%, its lowest in 21 days. In New York City, the positivity rate Thursday, based on a seven-day rolling average, was 5.27%. New York City also has 31% of its hospital beds available, somewhat lower than most other regions of the state but well above the 15% that would trigger further shutdowns.

Restaurants in New York City have been prohibited from offering indoor dining. In the rest of the state, dining has been permitted following a recent lawsuit.

Cuomo also said that based on current numbers, the state on March 15 will raise the limitations on wedding attendance from 50 people to 150 people, with a maximum of 50% of occupancy. Everyone in attendance would have to have a negative COVID test, and the event would have to be approved by the local health department.