Indoor dining in New York City will expand to 50 percent capacity, effective March 19, according to New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Currently, New York City and New Jersey restaurants are operating at 35 percent capacity, having been allowed expand from the initial 25 percent capacity, in the early part of 2021.

 

The latest decision to increase to 50 percent was made in partnership with Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey and will coincide with the State of New Jersey also expanding indoor dining to 50 percent on March 19. Other New York restaurants outside of New York City will expand to 75 percent capacity beginning March 19.

 

Norwood News reported previously on how some city restaurants and bars had challenged the arrangement of allowing non-City restaurants and bars greater capacity for indoor dining versus those based in the city, but the governor held firm on his decision, weighing up the COVID-19 cases, hospitalization and death rates prevalent in the City at that time.

 

While, sadly, some restaurant and bar businesses have had to close down due to the impact of the pandemic, others are opening up under new ownership. One example is Sorrento’s on Sedgwick Avenue in Van Cortlandt Village. According to BronxNet’s Gary Axelbank, “They’ve done a real nice job at fixing it up – Bronx people investing in our community.” He added, “Let’s welcome them to the nabe in the best way possible: EAT PIZZA! 718-796-4148.”

Norwood News also reported previously on how reluctance among the elderly in terms of catching COVID-19 was not the only hurdle affecting the return of indoor dining in February.

 

Meanwhile, we also reported how local BIDs and various other neighborhood organizations organized a recent campaign to encourage and inform the public of the different ways they can support local businesses. These are:

 

• Shop local
• Order direct
• Write a positive review
• Shout out on social media
• Buy a gift card
• Send a love letter