N.Y. to reopen indoor dining on Friday

TOPSHOT – Guests sat outside a restaurant which extended it’s outdoor area by setting tables on the street, on June 22, 2020. (Photo by JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images)

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UPDATED 3:50 PM PT – Monday, February 8, 2021

New York, one of the states hit hardest by COVID-19, is now moving to reopen indoor dining as soon as this week. Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) made that announcement on Monday, but said restaurants are only to allow up to 25 percent capacity.

The reopening was originally scheduled for Valentine’s Day, but restaurant owners in the state pushed for an earlier date to allow them to get up to speed ahead of the busy holiday.

I will be holding a COVID briefing and making an announcement at 11:30am ET.

Watch here:https://t.co/O3oXmEdnXp

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 8, 2021

Cuomo also said New York is looking to allow large gatherings, such as weddings, in the coming weeks. He added testing will be essential in doing so.

“We tested it in Buffalo and we want to start to extend it. We’re going to extend it in New York State, safe marriage receptions,” Cuomo stated. “The promise of marital bliss is returning. All patrons who attend the event will be tested, you can have 50 percent capacity of the venue, up to 150 people.”

While that move doesn’t go into effect until March, restaurant lovers in the state can head to their favorite spot starting this Friday.

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