As New York City prepares for the return of indoor dining this coming Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo is urging New Yorkers to report violations and has announced that 400 state workers will be assigned to the city to enforce strict compliance. Capacity will be capped at 25% upon the reopening of indoor dining in the city.
According to Cuomo’s orders, restaurants will have to implement temperature checks, take contact information for tracing, enforce face coverings when not seated and to make sure businesses cease service after midnight. Bar services are not permitted in the city.
The governor said guidelines will be reassessed based on data by November 1 and if no infections or outbreaks are reported, capacity can increase from 25% to 50%.
The Governor’s office released the following information regarding reopening:
Restaurants Must Publicly Post Their Indoor Dining Capacity and Phone Numbers to Report Violations; Patrons Who Observe Violations Can Report Issues by Calling 833-208-4160, or by Texting ‘VIOLATION’ to 855-904-5036.
Indoor dining in New York City will be allowed to resume beginning September 30th with a 25 percent occupancy limit. All restaurants that choose to reopen will be subject to strict safety protocols, including temperature checks, contact information for tracing, face coverings when not seated and other safety protocols. Bar service will not be permitted, and restaurants will close at midnight. Guidelines will be reassessed based on the data by November 1. If the infection rate does not increase, restaurants may be permitted to go to 50 percent capacity; the State will monitor any positivity increase on an ongoing basis and potentially reassess if necessary. Business guidance for indoor dining in New York City is available here.
The City of New York will provide a team of 400 enforcement personnel to work with the State Police Task Force to ensure compliance. Restaurants must publicly post their 25 percent indoor dining capacity and the phone number and text number to report violations. Patrons who observe violations can report issues by calling 833-208-4160, or by texting ‘VIOLATION’ to 855-904-5036.