Cuomo extends restaurant, bar closing times
“Our decisions are based on science and data and we adjust as the virus adjusts. The infection rate and hospitalizations have continued to significantly decline,” Governor Cuomo said.
Moses Kuwema
Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced the extension of closing times for restaurants and bars statewide from 10:00 p.m to 11:00 p.m beginning February 14.Governor Cuomo made the decision following the continued decline in hospitalization and infection rates throughout New York.
“Our decisions are based on science and data and we adjust as the virus adjusts. The infection rate and hospitalizations have continued to significantly decline,” Governor Cuomo said. “Accordingly, we have adjusted with arena and catering hall openings with rigorous testing and limited capacity indoor dining openings in New York City. We will also move the restaurant and bar closing hour from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. statewide on Sunday. We will continue to follow the science and react accordingly. If we keep the infections down and vaccinations up, we will continue to stay ahead in the foot race against this invisible enemy.”
And Governor Cuomo announced that 132,057 first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the last 24 hours.
As of 11 a.m Friday, New York’s health care distribution sites have received 2,065,595 first doses and already administered 90 percent or 1,860,196 first dose vaccinations and 82 percent of first and second doses. The week nine allocation from the federal government continues being delivered to providers for administration.
“Defeating COVID once and for all ultimately comes down to winning the footrace between vaccinating New Yorkers as quickly and fairly as possible, and continuing to do all we can to drive down infection and hospitalization rates even further,” Governor Cuomo said. “Those rates are continuing to fall and that is a direct result of New Yorkers continuing to act smartly and responsibly. We must keep up that momentum and as we do, we will continue doing everything we can to get shots in arms as quickly, efficiently and fairly as possible – we just simply need more supply and now that we have competent leadership in Washington, we’re actually now beginning to see that happen.”
Approximately seven million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. The federal government has increased the weekly supply by more than 20 percent over the next three weeks, but New York’s vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.
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