LATEST: Indoor Dining to Return on Valentine’s Day
Citing growing hospitalization rates, Governor Cuomo announced Monday that NYC could face another indoor dining ban if numbers don’t stabilize in the next five days. As of Saturday, state data reports that 1,375 New Yorkers were hospitalized, up from 1,354 a day before, and up from 1,070 hospitalizations on November 28th. Monday also recorded the highest single-day fatality toll (80) in months.
“Do I believe between now and five days we’ll see a stabilization rate in New York City? I would be pleasantly surprised. I don’t think it is probable, but it is possible,” Cuomo said during the press conference in Midtown on Monday. “Do I think we hit hospitalization criticality and have to close down? I pray no, I hope no, I hope New Yorkers get it before we get there.”
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We spoke with Manny Colon, owner of Manny’s Bistro at 225 Columbus Avenue between 70th and 71st Streets. He expressed worry for all restaurants should an indoor ban take effect. “This delivery business doesn’t really work that well for restaurants, and building these outdoor tents, it’s too cold to sit there no matter how many heaters you put there. You have to leave the doors open. It’s really not solving the problem.” Colon noted he’d like to see indoor capacity raised a bit from the current 25% it’s at.
In regards to the pandemic, Colon went on to say “I do understand the concern of the Mayor, of the Governor, and I’m concerned as well, but if people practice social distancing, wear masks, and do everything we’re supposed to, give us the trust. Give us what we need. Otherwise we’re all going to go down and the whole city is going to go down.” A study from earlier this year stated that almost 90% of restaurant owners were struggling to pay rent.
Federal lawmakers appear to be making progress on a new pandemic relief bill, but it’s still murky if the legislation will pass, and how much the restaurant industry will be able to benefit from it.
I haven’t been dining indoors anyway. Seems kind of foolish.
I don’t see The logic to shutting down indoor dining. It’s probably healthier than eating outside with all the germs floating around.
Really? Have you heard there’s an airborne virus going around?
The air is borne outside too, all over.
Do you not breathe, really??
No, indoor dining is one of the riskiest activities you can engage in given what we understand about how the virus spreads. Restaurants can take actions to mitigate the risks (enhanced ventilation, lower capacity, physical dividers) but it’s still high up. They really should require masks when you’re not actually eating.