Skip to content

Back to Our Blog

1.14.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Indoor Dining Can Resume

Blog Categories

Josh Veronica

January 14, 2021

Indoor Dining Can Resume in Orange Zones  

The Cuomo administration announced today that all restaurants operating in Orange Zones can resume indoor dining. 

The announcement comes after a group of Buffalo area restaurants sued the state on the issue and a judge ruled in their favor citing no “rational basis” for restricting indoor dining when other parts of New York State with higher hospitalization rates are not operating under such restrictions. 

The ruling and the subsequent announcement by the Governor’s office allows restaurants in Orange Zones to operate as those in the less-restrictive Yellow Zones which permit indoor dining, but at 50 percent capacity.   

The Governor’s office said it did not agree with the judge’s ruling but was adjusting its policy to ensure uniformity and fairness.   

Restaurants in New York City are not included in the revised policy since their restrictions are based on population density, not hospitalization rates.  

 

*******

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is committed to providing employers with the latest information and resources to help you deal with COVID-19 and its impact on our community, state and nation. Visit our Events and Resource pages as they are updated regularly to provide you with the most current information.

Do you have specific questions related to running your business or your business unit?Visit the BNP Business Link, a question and answer forum for, and by, the Buffalo Niagara business community.  Submit your questions and get expert answers on just about any topic from legal, IT, HR, NYS regulations, sales, marketing, communications and more.  It is quick, confidential, powerful and convenient.

Related Posts

COVID-19 Bulletin: Tax Credits Available for COVID-Related Costs 

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | November 3, 2022

Small businesses can now apply for a new tax credit to help offset COVID-19 costs. The $250 million COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program will cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, for a maximum benefit of $25,000.

With Canada lifting most travel restrictions, border communities breathe sigh of relief

By communications@thepartnership.org | September 27, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) —Dottie Gallagher, president of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, said fears of random testing and possible quarantines in Ontario all worked to discourage significant aspects of the region’s integrated economy. She called the move “quite frankly, long overdue,” especially for those travelers discouraged to even try navigating requirements like ArriveCan.

Advocacy Alert

9.26.22 Advocacy Alert: Canada to Remove All Border Restrictions

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | September 26, 2022

The Public Health Agency of Canada announced it will lift all COVID-related restrictions on international travelers beginning this Saturday, October 1.

Comptroller: “Duplication” in State Workforce Efforts

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | June 2, 2022

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli recently released a report assessing the state Department of Labor’s workforce development efforts. The report found significant overlap, duplication, gaps, and fragmentation in state workforce development programs and services. The audit found that New York offers over 500 workforce development programs and services, administered