Cuomo expands capacity at museums, movie theaters, and sports arenas

Entertainment and cultural venues in New York will soon welcome more visitors. Starting April 26, capacity limits at museums and zoos will be raised to 50 percent and to 33 percent at movie theaters. Starting May 19, large indoor sports arenas can increase capacity from 10 percent to 25 percent, and outdoor venues from 20 to 33 percent. In addition, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that as of May 15, offices can increase capacity from 50 to 75 percent, casinos and gaming facilities from 25 to 50 percent, and gyms outside of NYC from 33 to 50 percent.

Cuomo pointed to the declining statewide positivity of coronavirus cases and the increase in vaccinations as a reason for this latest reopening. According to the governor, the positivity rate across New York was 2.39 percent on Sunday. On Saturday, the seven-day average positivity rate dropped to 2.19 percent, the lowest since November 8. Roughly 44 percent of residents have received at least one dose and about 31 percent are fully vaccinated, according to state data updated Monday morning.

“The numbers are stable and going down,” Cuomo said last week. “So we can start to open up more economic activity.”

Following last year’s statewide shutdown, museums were able to reopen in August at 25 percent capacity and with timed tickets and mask requirements. Movie theaters in New York City only just reopened at 25 percent capacity and a 50-person limit on March 5; theaters in the rest of the state have been opened since the fall.

Large sports venues opened on April 1 at 10 percent capacity indoors and 20 percent capacity outdoors. Indoor arenas and stadiums started welcoming back fans and audiences on February 23 at a 10 percent capacity. The increase in capacity at indoor arenas on May 19 comes just days before the NBA playoffs are set to begin, Cuomo said.

Keep up to date with New York’s reopening dates and details with our guide found here.

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on April 19, 2021, and has been updated with new information. 

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