May 21, 2021 | Newsletter
NYC Office of Nightlife
Dear NYC Nightlife, 

This week, NYC reached a major milestone in our reopening efforts, with NY State lifting capacity restrictions on most businesses, and the MTA subway resuming 24-hour service. With 7.8 million vaccine doses administered in NYC and case counts continuing to decline, there’s no stopping New York as we make our way back.
Rules for Implementing New CDC Guidance   
On Wednesday, May 19, the State released new rules to implement recent CDC guidance that fully-vaccinated people no longer need to wear face coverings or be separated by 6 feet of social distance.

A two-page summary from the State on how businesses can implement
new CDC guidance can be found here. Please read this summary carefully, as there are different rules that apply to different types of establishments:
  • Businesses that do not congregate patrons and/or that operate below the State’s social gathering limit of 250 indoors or 500 outdoors (e.g., retail, food services, offices)
  • Businesses that congregate patrons and operate above the State's social gathering limit (e.g., event venues, performing arts and entertainment, catering halls, and others)
Businesses that choose not to implement CDC guidance to screen for vaccination status must continue to follow guidelines that require 6 feet of social distancing and masks for all individuals, including employees and patrons. (You may find current guidance for small and medium performing arts and entertainment venues and indoor food and beverage services in NYC at the State’s NY Forward website.)
FAQ for Liquor-licensed Establishments
Interior of restaurant with staff member placing silverware on table
For liquor-licensed establishments, the NY State Liquor Authority has released an updated FAQ for food and beverage businesses that do not congregate patrons,
which can be found here. That FAQ currently includes the following information:
  • Q: If implementing the CDC guidance, may vaccinated individuals, without the need for face coverings or distancing, stand, walk freely about the premises, dance, participate in activities (e.g., darts, pool), etc.?
 
  • A: Yes, since there are no social distancing or face covering requirements for such individuals, unless the licensee determines otherwise.
Rules on Closing Hours
As of May 17, the midnight curfew for private outdoor dining areas was lifted, and closing times are subject to a business’s liquor license stipulations. The closing time for NYC Open Restaurants program street and roadway seating remains 12am midnight.

Starting May 31,
the midnight curfew for indoor food and beverage businesses will be lifted. Until then, such establishments must cease all on-premises service and consumption of food and beverages (including alcohol) by midnight under NYS Executive Order 202.102.

Liquor licensed establishments may visit the SLA’s
FAQ on closing times for further details.
Upcoming Events
On May 26 at 1pm, Office of Nightlife Senior Executive Director Ariel Palitz will be participating in a Business Recovery Roundtable about employee ownership conversion.
  
This event is an opportunity to learn about this increasingly popular business model that offers flexibility, unique financial benefits and has proven to be resilient under difficult market conditions. If you're thinking about the future of your nightlife or hospitality business, please join on Thursday, May 26 at 1pm to learn more about how employee ownership might benefit your business. RSVP today at
https://bit.ly/3euNnZW 
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Email: nightlife@media.nyc.gov
Connect: @nycnightlifegov

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