Mark that date on your calendar and underscore it twice. A short time ago, the word we have all long been waiting for finally came: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the prohibition on indoor dining at the city’s restaurants will end on Sept. 30. Now I think we have a clue how people all over the country felt when Prohibition was repealed.
According to the New York Times, the news is not 100% good. In fact it’s only 25% good. That’s the percent capacity restaurants will be allowed to entertain at any given time. Yet, as Times Albany bureau chief Jesse McKinley writes, the move will mark a vital milestone in the city’s economic recovery and currently moribund tourist trade.
Additional restrictions will also be enforced, such as the wearing of face coverings when not seated and temperature checks at the door. In addition, one member of each party will be required to leave contact information so that the restaurant can conduct “contact tracing” if there is a COVID outbreak.
After six months of restaurant drought, I for one can’t wait.
