State Hits 70% Vaccination Rate, Restrictions Lifted

Governor Cuomo announced that the State hit the 70% vaccination rate threshold this week and most of the public health restrictions are now lifted, including all of the restrictions on restaurants and taverns. While the Department of Health continues to recommend social distancing and mask wearing in certain indoor situations, you no longer have to enforce any special rules on your customers. In addition, all of the restrictions on your operation are now lifted.

Although the restrictions have been lifted, the special privileges you’ve been granted during the State of Emergency – alcohol to go and extended outdoor privileges – remain in place until July 5th. It’s unclear if the Governor will extend these privileges when the current Executive Order expires next month. The legislature passed a bill to allow for extended outdoor areas but, as you’ll read below, they failed to extend alcohol to go. We’ll post updates on our website as we receive more information.