The city will deploy 400 inspectors to monitor mask use and social distancing, he said, and asked citizens to speak up about the violations.
The city is home to more than 24,000 food and beverage establishments that employ more than 250,000, according to the New York City Hospitality Alliance, an industry trade association.
The announcement came after months of work to control the virus in a city that had been the epicenter of the American pandemic. The positive test rate now remains below 1% in the state, Cuomo said. There were 463 hospitalizations and three deaths related to the virus on September 8.
As the outbreak subsided, the New York State Restaurant Association had been lobbying the state and federal government for rent relief, payment of business interruption insurance claims, and resumption of indoor dining in New City. . . York and an increase in inland restaurant capacity elsewhere in the state.
In a survey released last week, nearly two-thirds of New York state restaurants said they would likely close before the end of the year without government support. Of those who expected to close, 55% expected it to happen before November, according to a survey of more than 1,000 restaurant owners statewide.
“I couldn’t be happier, it’s a huge relief,” said Drew Nieporent, owner of Nobu in Midtown and Lower Manhattan and Batard, a French restaurant in Manhattan’s Tribeca. Hopefully we can do it successfully and in a healthy way. The way the industry has adapted so well to cookouts, with so many strict rules, gives me confidence that we can do it. “
Bars should remain closed, but bar service will be available to those who dine at tables, he said, and restaurants should close at midnight.
Cuomo has set a Nov. 1 deadline to decide whether New York City restaurants can open at 50% capacity, but it could be earlier if all goes well, he said. He said he wants more capacity when the cold weather hits.
The city’s cookout program has more than 10,000 participants, employing about 90,000, said Mayor Bill de Blasio, who had resisted orders to dine indoors. He said the city will reevaluate the program if the positivity rate reaches 2%.
