NYS Entertainment Venues Can Re-Open Next Month – What It Means

Governor Cuomo announced that event, arts, and entertainments venues with a capacity of less than 10,000 may begin reopening with testing and capacity limitations on April 2nd. Capacity for these venues will be capped at 33%, with up to 100 people indoors or 200 people outdoors. These capacity limits can be increased to 150 people indoors and 500 people outdoors if a venue implements a testing program for all attendees. Venues must continue to follow applicable guidance and require social distancing and face coverings. This guidance has not yet been published.

While it wasn’t included in the Governor’s announcement, we anticipate that the Department of Health and State Liquor Authority will modify their guidance to allow similar activities in restaurants, taverns, and bars. We expect the guidance will include requirements for social distancing, face coverings, and other restrictions. The recently released catering guidance allows dancing in separate spaces that are socially distant – a provision that could be included in the new rules for entertainment in your establishment.

We’ll keep you updated on any changes or clarifications to the rules covering your business just as soon as they’re released. Stay tuned!

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