Client Alert 
April 28, 2021

IMMINENT CHANGES FOR
NEW YORK RESTAURANTS
- AND -
RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND
GRANT PROGRAM REGISTRATION & APPLICATION TO FINALLY OPEN 
Today, Governor Cuomo announced some welcome changes for restaurants and bars:

  • Bar seating to be allowed everywhere
  • Starting May 3, 2021, seating at bars will be allowed in New York City, catching New York City up to the rest of the state

  • Curfews are being lifted
  • Effective May 17, 2021, the 12:00 a.m. food and beverage service curfew for outdoor dining areas and the 1:00 a.m. curfew for  in-person/catered events where attendees have provided proof of vaccination status or a recent negative COVID-19 test result will be lifted
  • Effective May 31, 2021, the 12:00 a.m. food and beverage service curfew for indoor dining areas and the 1:00 a.m. curfew for all other in-person/catered events will be lifted

  • Changes to in-person and catered event guidance regarding dancing
  • Effective May 3, 2021, event attendees will no longer be relegated to “dance zones” with other members of their table and instead can dance freely, provided social distancing and mask-wearing requirements are observed

  • Larger residential catered events may resume, with restrictions
  • Effective May 3, 2021, catered events at a residence with a capacity above the State's residential gathering limit of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors will be permitted
  • However, these events must be staffed by a professional licensed caterer, permitted by the respective locality or municipality, and strictly adhere to health and safety guidance, including social and event gathering limits, masks, and social distancing

In addition, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) has announced that restaurants and other businesses eligible for a Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grant may register for an account at restaurants.sba.gov starting this Friday, April 30, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST, and which will allow the business to apply for an RRF grant when the SBA’s RRF application portal opens on Monday, May 3 at 12:00 p.m. EST. For more information on RRF grants, please see our previous client alerts found here, here and here.

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If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact any of our Labor & Employment attorneys  or the primary EGS attorney with whom you work.

This memorandum is published solely for the informational interest of friends and clients of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP and should in no way be relied upon or construed as legal advice.