Gov. Cuomo imposes curfew on bars and restaurants amid COVID-19 spike
Starting Nov. 13, bars and restaurants in New York will be required to close at 10 p.m.
In response to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the state and in an effort to slow the spread, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that "any establishment with a state liquor license, including bars and restaurants, must close at 10 p.m."
Within the new operational hours, restaurants will still be permitted to continue curbside food-only order pickups after 10 p.m.
The hospitality industry, hard hit amid the pandemic, has adapted to ever-changing rules and restrictions statewide from limited indoor dining capacity to outdoor dining rules as well as implementing new takeout and delivery options.
Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, weighed in on the news at the time of the announcement, writing on Twitter, "Restaurants have not been provided important details by the State or City about the new restrictions on their businesses."
He said that Cuomo's 10 p.m. curfew announcement did not provide details about what that means for operations and service, and posited that it could further create confusion for both staff and diners.
"These new restrictions should be publicly justified with contact-tracing data because they will make it even more difficult for these small businesses to survive," he added.
The new statewide 10 p.m. closures will also be applied to gyms.
Gov. Cuomo said the spread of the virus and new cases have come from three main areas: bars and restaurants, gyms, and house parties or gatherings.
He said that no more than 10 people may be in a private residence for a party, "unless your household happens to be more than 10."
"[Parties] are one of the three great spreaders, as identified by our contact tracing," Cuomo said. "The states surrounding us have done something that is intelligent and we are going to follow suit."
