According to the New York Daily Mail, a group speaking out on behalf of New York bars and restaurants wants Governor Cuomo to relax the state’s 10 p.m. curfew for the upcoming Super Bowl.
The group wants the governor to consider giving eateries a chance to show they can keep patrons safe from COVID-19.
The Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association is calling on Cuomo to allow establishments to remain open until midnight this Sunday. The extension would allow customers to watch the football game indoors and give New York a trial run to see how things go, the outlet reported.
“Lifting the curfew for even two hours would provide an additional table turn for restaurants and will let patrons stay to watch the end of the game,” said Scott Wexler, the group’s executive director.
“But we recognize that the governor’s willingness to lift the curfew is dependent on his confidence that restaurants and bars will continue to follow the rules, that we won’t let the late hour reduce our commitment to compliance with the public health protections.”
Restaurants and bars in the area were forced to close at 10 p.m. back in November when officials prepared for a holiday surge in coronavirus cases.
Wexler says Sunday could act as a pilot program to let officials see how things go before potentially lifting the curfew for good.
Cuomo acknowledged that the fall spike in cases resulted from “living room spread”—small, private gatherings and not indoor dining. Last week the governor said the return of indoor dining was off the table but changed his mind and announced that New York eateries would be allowed to take customers starting February 14 at a 25% capacity.
Therefore, those who choose to watch the game in the Big Apple’s five boroughs will have to do so outdoors.
New York State Restaurant Associated and other groups representing the industry have also called on Cuomo to extend the curfew until midnight.
Still, despite the state rounding the corner from the post-holiday spike in cases, Cuomo seems to oppose the idea.
On Thursday, the governor informed the public that New York hospitalizations dropped by more than 500 patients over the last week. However, 135 New Yorkers died from the virus the day before.
“The good news is New York’s numbers continue to show progress as the holiday surge recedes,” Cuomo said. “As we enter into Super Bowl weekend, we cannot get cocky with COVID — we must remain vigilant: be smart, wear a mask, socially distance, and stay New York Tough.”
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