As the COVID-19 positivity rate in New York continues to fall, and as more vaccines arrive, more reopening dates are being announced by the state.
Movie theaters in New York City can reopen on March 5 at 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 50 people per screen.
Catering venues, too, can reopen, starting March 15 at 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 150 patrons. COVID-19 testing is required.
Indoor dining can increase from 25 percent to 35 percent in the city beginning Friday.
The latest news comes as the U.S. passes the grim milestone of 500,000 COVID-related deaths and the state reported the first confirmed case of the South African COVID-19 variant, which is believed to be more easily transmissible but no more deadly.
Fans will return to NYC sports arenas Tuesday, February 22, with a limit of 2,000 fans for NBA and NHL games.
Large sports and entertainment venues in New Jersey can reopen to spectators beginning March 1. Indoor venues with fixed seating capacity of 5,000 or more can open to 10 percent capacity. Outdoor venues can use as much as 15 percent capacity.
After many in the Tri-State area had vaccination appointments delayed last week due to inclement weather, new shipments of the vaccine have arrived. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that the city is still on track to vaccinate 5 million residents by June.
Eligible New York City residents can go to nyc.gov/vaccinelocations to make an appointment. New Yorkers from elsewhere in the state can go here to find a dose.
New Jersey residents can go here to make an appointment.
Currently, in both states, the vaccine is available to healthcare workers, nursing home residents and nursing home staff, as well as first responders, teachers, people over 65 years old and people with underlying medical conditions.
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