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Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday teased a loosening of coronavirus restrictions coming soon for parts of the Empire State — but said the return of indoor dining for hard-hit New York City restaurants isn’t in the cards just yet.
“I think we’re at a new place now, and we can start to adjust that valve and start to open up more economic activity and reduce some of the restrictions,” said Cuomo during a press briefing at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo.
The governor, however, was largely mum on details, saying that the state Department of Health is currently finalizing plans, with an announcement in the days ahead.
But, asked specifically about the possibility of indoor dining at restaurants Big Apple restaurants — those that have so far managed to survive the massive economic downturn borne by the pandemic — Cuomo said it likely would not be included in the coming slate of changes.
“The indoor dining in New York City is a New York City-specific condition and we’re not at this point — at this point — contemplating any changes,” said Cuomo, who suspended indoor dining wholesale last month as the virus surged.
Rather, he said, the changes will likely help out “microcluster zones” sprinkled throughout the state — the targeted, color-coded areas hit with additional restrictions during the fall as the virus made localized resurgences.
Parts of all five boroughs have, at some point since the fall, been labeled microcluster zones.
Restrictions from zone to zone vary based on the color, though they do include rules governing dining, down to compelling restaurants to offer only take-out and delivery.
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