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BRONX TIMES R 16 EPORTER, DECEMBER 18-24, 2020 BTR
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI
Indoor dining across New York
City was suspended indefi nitely as of
Monday, Dec. 14, Governor Andrew
Cuomo announced Friday — delivering
another blow to restaurants and
bars that have suffered mightily during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cuomo cited the rising COVID-19
and related hospitalization rates in
New York City and an inappropriately
high rate of transmission as the key
reasons for ceasing indoor dining —
which had been limited to 25% capacity.
Since this announcement, Cuomo
has stated that if hospitals hit 90% capacity,
a second lockdown will be enforced.
Outdoor dining and delivery orders
may continue uninterrupted.
While acknowledging that indoor
dining is not currently the primary
driver of COVID-19 cases in New York
state — living room spread in the home
remains at the top of the list, accounting
for more than 76% of all infections — the
governor said the concern comes down
to New York City’s density and the rate
of contagion.
The Rt rate in New York state is up to
1.3 — meaning that one person infected
with COVID-19 could infect more than
one or several people.
Cuomo also cited the revised guidance
of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention about indoor dining,
which advises that implementation of
indoor dining policies “should be guided
by what is feasible, acceptable, and tailored
to the needs of each community.”
Earlier this week, Cuomo indicated
that indoor dining would likely be suspended
in New York City because of
the rising COVID-19 rate and increase
in hospitalization. That news brought
about greater concerns from restaurant
and bar industries, who feared a second
closure of indoor dining would result in
further business closures.
Cuomo said he was cognizant of the
situation, and that the businesses need
fi nancial relief to get through the crisis.
“The federal government must provide
relief to these bars and restaurants
in this next package,” Cuomo said, referring
to ongoing talks in Washington
about a new round of economic stimulus.
“I understand we’re battling COVID. I
also understand you’re wiping out business.
In New York, we will do what we
can to help.”
One way the state intends to help
the affected businesses is by extending
the commercial eviction moratorium
to prevent landlords from booting
tenants who are behind on their
rent — something which Cuomo said
he would do once again Friday.
The governor also suggested that
while there would be hardship from
the loss of indoor dining, he expressed
hope that the expansion of indoor dining
and the acclimation of New Yorkers
to it, even in colder months, might
help the businesses get through the
diffi cult period.
“Yes, there will be economic hardship,
but we have compensated in
other ways, and this is a situation
that has affected every business community,
not just restaurants,” Cuomo
said. “We’re asking everyone to hold
on. The end is in sight, but we still
have to get there. If we are in a situation
in this state to provide business
relief and we have any funds or
resources to do that, I would be 100%
supportive of it, and have advocated
for it.”
The governor said state offi cials
are going through a “winter plan” of
attack against COVID-19 and other
policy changes in the state would be
announced Monday.
This article fi rst appreared in our
sister publication, amny.com
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Excellent, free public elementary schools in your neighborhood
Cuomo to ban dining
as of Monday in NYC
Mario’s on Arthur Avenue. Courtesy of the Belmont BID
/amny.com
