Restaurants outside of New York City, which have been operating at 50 percent capacity, can now move to 75 percent capacity starting March 19, New York state announced on Sunday. The data has shown that restaurants can operate safely and in accordance with strict health protocols at 75 percent capacity. New York City restaurant capacity will remain at 35 percent capacity.

“Our fight in the war against COVID-19 continues, but we are encouraged by the decrease in infection and hospitalization rates and the rise in vaccinations,” embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “As we expand our vaccine distribution and celebrate the arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, we have never been closer to defeating this beast once and for all.”