It’s Official: Indoor Dining Will End On Monday In NYC

In a press briefing on Friday morning, Governor Cuomo announced that NYC’s indoor dining will close beginning Monday, December 14th.

Earlier in the week, he had said indoor service would shut down if the region’s hospitalization rate didn’t stabilize in the next five days. He called the change “probable.”

The city’s COVID-related hospitalizations have steadily increased throughout the last week or so. On December 6th, NYC reported 165 new hospitalizations. Then, on Friday, December 11th, the Mayor tweeted that the city had 205 new COVID-related hospitalizations.

In the same press briefing on Friday, Cuomo also revealed contract tracing data showing that restaurants and bars only accounted for 1.43% of the state’s COVID cases between September and November. Though on Monday he did say that this area was the fastest growing source of cases.

Even through a second round of indoor service closures, there is still no economic relief for NYC restaurants in sight. Congressional leaders remain at a standstill and cannot agree on passing a federal stimulus package.

If you’re looking to get involved and help your favorite NYC restaurants, consider donating to ROAR x Robin Hood NYC’s employee relief fund, showing your support for the Independent Restaurant Coalition’s work, and contacting your government officials.

You can (and should) still support restaurants with outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery. All three options will remain open.

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