September 25, 2020
Newsletter
Dear NYC Nightlife Community,

I hope you have been keeping safe and well as we transition to this fall season. As part of the reopening and recovery processMayor de Blasio announced today that the Open Restaurants program that allows bars and restaurants to use outdoor seating on streets and sidewalks will be extended year-round. 

While there is much more work to do for the nightlife industry at large, the thousands of restaurants and bars moving into the street has created a new café culture that is working to preserve livelihoods and neighborhoods in the face of a pandemic in invincible New York City.
 
The administration will also work with City Council to make these changes permanent. As part of this extension, the City will allow:
  • Expanded outdoor seating to adjacent properties, establishments will be able to utilize next door storefronts with the permission of neighboring property owners. (The City will release instructions in early October and work with the State Liquor Authority on extending alcohol service to the expanded seating areas; adjacent properties may not be used until then)
  • Electrical heaters on sidewalk and roadway seating, and propane and natural gas heaters allowed on sidewalk seating (they will remain prohibited in roadway seating; propane will require a permit from FDNY and compliance with FDNY regulations for outdoor use, handling and secure overnight storage)
  • Use of tent enclosures with electrical heaters, as long as at least 50% of the tent’s side wall surface area remain open, or full tent enclosures with reduced 25% capacity, or enclosed structures for individual parties with adequate ventilation for air circulation

Additional details can be found in the Mayor’s press release found here

Last week, New York City also announced an important milestone on its way to recovery: Indoor dining will return at 25% percent occupancy on Wednesday, September 30.

Under New York State guidelines, New York City businesses that open for indoor dining will be subject to strict safety protocols, which include:

  • temperature checks at the door for all customers; 
  • collecting contact information for tracing; 
  • face coverings at all times when not seated; 
  • tables spaced at least six feet apart

Please note that patrons sitting or standing at bar areas will be prohibited, and service must stop at midnight (establishments may allow customers to remain seated until 12:30AM but only to finish their meals). Businesses must review and affirm that they will operate in accordance with Interim Guidance For New York City Indoor Food Services During The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
 
For more information about indoor dining, download: NYC Indoor Dining FAQs (pdf)
 
As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns or for support at nightlife@media.nyc.gov. For the latest updates, sign-up to our newsletter, visit our website nyc.gov/nightlife or follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.


Sincerely,
Ariel Palitz

Senior Executive Director
Office of Nightlife
Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

Additional News, Updates & Reources
GUIDANCE FOR MUSIC ACTIVITIES

The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment has issued guidance for group music activities, including live performances and music recording, in New York City during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The music guidance synthesizes COVID-19-related safety requirements from numerous sources, including the New York State Department of Health, the Empire State Development Corporation, the State Liquor Authority, and other State and City laws. The guidance is presented in a plain-language format and includes links to information from other State and City government agencies. 
 
NYC OPEN RESTAURANTS: OUTDOOR DINING 

Mayor de Blasio announced the first-ever weekday hours available for the popular, car-free outdoor dining initiative, Open Streets: Restaurants, at 40 locations across the city.  For locations and days, visit: nyc.gov/openstreets-restaurants
 
New York City’s Open Restaurants program now has more than 10,000 restaurants participating. Selected corridors will be operational on Friday from 5-11pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12-11pm. Information about Restaurant Reopening is also available at nyc.gov/restaurantreopening or by calling the SBS hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC.
 
New York State has extended the Executive Order that allows restaurants and bars to sell alcohol for takeout and delivery through October 4, 2020.

To assist businesses participating in outdoor dining, the Office of Nightlife has made the following guides and informational materials available for download at: www.nyc.gov/nightlife.

 
BUSINESS RESOURCES 

MEND NYC is a new citywide initiative thats provides free mediation and conflict resolution services to address quality-of-life issues that impact both New York City residents and businesses in the hospitality industry, which includes bars, clubs, restaurants or live music venues. For more information about the program, and how to request a free mediation for your ongoing issue, visit: nyc.gov/mendnyc

Information and guidelines for businesses reopening in Phase 4 are available at nyc.gov/nycbusiness. Under the State’s New York Forward plan, each business must develop a written Safety Plan for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Businesses may fill out this template or develop their own Safety Plan, which must be conspicuously posted on site and made available to the New York State Department of Health or New York City health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection. 
 
NYC X DESIGN: Free Outdoor Dining Design Services Design Corps: Small Business Reopening Network is a new program to help restaurants improve their outdoor dining space through assistance by design professionals. Restaurants across NYC can register and connect with a professional designer or architect, free of charge. Services include applying for the City’s Open Restaurant program, ensuring compliance with safety guidelines, and improving efficiency of space. To register or learning more about how you can receive this FREE service, visit: nycxdesign.com/design-corps

Free Webinars for Small Businesses: The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) offers a wide range of free events, courses, and mentor sessions to provide information about requirements and guidelines to re-opening, emergency preparedness, financial assistance, certification for minority and women business owners, regulatory changes, employee support, licensing, inspections, and more. Click here to search for webinars and sign-up today.
 
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) offers information about reopening requirements and health and safety guidelines for the workplace, including FAQs for NYC Workers and an update about workplace laws for employers and employees to stop the spread of COVID-19. In addition, they have set up a Worker Protection Hotline at 311 or 1-212-436-0381 for questions about reopening or to report an employer that is not following reopening requirements.
 
Free face coverings for small businesses: DCWP and SBS also are working with business-serving partner organizations throughout the five boroughs to distribute free face coverings citywide to small businesses and their employees. 
 
The NYC PPE + Reopening Supplies Marketplace provides a one-stop-shop for easy-to-access suppliers of (i) face masks and coverings, (ii) face shields, (iii) gloves, (iv) cleaning and disinfectant products, (v) physical barriers and portable furniture, and (vi) other supplies needed for re-opening. It represents both local and national suppliers and manufacturers to provide a wide range of order minimums.
COMMUNITY & WORKER RESOURCES 

NYC CARE: Unlock your right to health care with dignity and respect, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. Available citywide at NYC Health + Hospitals locations! Become a member of NYC Care today! Call 1-646-NYC-CARE 1-646-692-2273 or visit: www.nyccare.nyc

Help Now NYC offers assistance including a list of resources for those who may be unemployed due to COVID-19.

ACCESSNYC is a city-run portal for NYC residents to determine their eligibility for more than 30 economic programs and benefits.

Department of Consumer and Worker Protection provides updates on NYC worker laws and rights, including paid sick leave.

NYC Financial Empowerment Centers offer free, secure and confidential financial counseling over the phone. You can book an appointment at nyc.gov/TalkMoney

Human Resources Association provides information about essential benefits, such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance.
NYC COVID-19 CITYWIDE PORTAL

For up-to-date information on the City's response to COVID-19, employment resources, or health, medical, food, rent, financial or other assistance, and free COVID testing sites please visit: nyc.gov/coronavirus

You can also call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or text COVID to 692-692 for updates and information; Text COVIDESP to 692-692 for updates in Spanish.
CENSUS 2020 

A reminder that we’re down to the final week of CENSUS 2020. Get counted TODAY at my2020census.gov

{{Sender_Name}}

{{Sender_Address}}, {{Sender_City}}, {{Sender_State}} {{Sender_Zip}}

Unsubscribe