New York ends Covid capacity limits for businesses; what it means to you now

People sit on stools at a bar

Customers are seen inside Kitty Hoynes in Syracuse in a file photo.Jared Paventi | syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. — Despite the approaching end of New York’s Covid-19 capacity limits, businesses owners and others in the Syracuse area say not much is likely to change in the near term.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said earlier Monday that New York will end most of its capacity restrictions starting May 19. The change applies to a range of businesses and other organizations including houses of worship, bars and restaurants, museums, retail stores, gyms and fitness centers, amusement parks, family entertainment centers, hair salons, spas, barbershops and offices.

Cuomo pitched the change as a big step forward.

“Today is a milestone for New York state and a significant moment of transition,” he said. “This is a major reopening of economic and social activity.”

But state still requires 6 feet of space between patrons. That means reality for many will continue to look the way it does now. In many cases, the distancing requirement is effectively a limit on capacity.

Many small to medium-sized restaurants, for example, are struggling to get to the 75% limit currently allowed. It’s difficult to space that many tables 6 feet apart.

“With graduation coming up, the timing is great, my staff is ecstatic,” said Lauren Monforte, owner of Beer Belly Deli on Westcott Street. “But I think the restaurant industry has been forever changed by the last 14 months. You can’t just lift the restrictions and expect what has been broken to bounce back.”

Capacity limits will remain in place in some cases. Big outdoor spaces like NBT Bank Stadium and the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview will be limited to 33% of their maximum capacity starting May 19, up from 20% currently.

Syracuse Mets general manager Jason Smorol said getting to even 30% capacity at NBT will be challenging considering the continued spacing rules. The team plans to stick with games at 20% capacity for now.

A spokesman for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association said the group has not received any new guidance on increased fans at games.

It also doesn’t seem like the increased capacity limits will make much difference for larger high school graduations, said Robert Lowry, deputy director of the New York Council of Superintendents.

He doesn’t think the new rules will enable districts to return to normal, or allow everyone to attend the events. If anything, a few more people might be allowed in.

Today’s announcement doesn’t change the plans for the 2021 New York State Fair either, fair spokesman Dave Bullard said.

Just last week, Cuomo announced the 2021 fair would open, but at 50% capacity. The fairgrounds can hold about 100,000 people at once, so that would mean just 50,000 people could be at the venue at one time.

Syracuse University has not said yet if it will revise commencement plans in light of today’s news.

Big indoor venues like the Carrier Dome will continue to face capacity limits, even after Cuomo’s announcement. Starting May 19, they’ll be limited to 30% of their maximum capacity.

That’s up from 10% currently.

The new rule would allow the Dome to have a maximum attendance of 15,000 people, up from 5,000. The school could potentially hold just one 15,000-person event, or stick with its current plan of three smaller ceremonies and let graduating students invite more guests.

The changes Cuomo announced do open the door for much bigger weddings, celebrations and live performances in the coming months.

Starting May 10, New York’s limit on outdoor gatherings increases from 200 to 500. The limit on indoor gatherings goes from 100 to 250 starting May 19.

Those limits apply to a range of events including weddings, receptions and parties. They also apply to sporting events, live entertainment and the performing arts in small and medium-sized venues and theaters, which have fewer than 1,500 seats indoors and 2,500 seats outdoors.

But if everyone is tested or vaccinated, the limits don’t apply.

You could have an indoor wedding with 400 people or an outdoor party with 600.

A theater the size of the one used by Syracuse Stage could welcome more people. A small music venue like the Westcott Theater could sell more tickets.

What about a big festival in downtown Syracuse with thousands of people? It suddenly seems possible, if not necessarily imminent.

The state’s social distancing rule still applies, according to Cuomo’s office. Patrons must keep 6 feet apart, although the state is working on plans that might allow reduced distancing in venues where attendees have proof of vaccination.

Staff writers Don Cazentre, Elizabeth Doran, Lindsay Kramer, James T. Mulder and Teri Weaver contributed to this report.

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