Author: Frank V

From the Office of Counsel to the Mayor:

Can we have an in-person holiday party at a restaurant or catering hall? Yes, outside red and orange cluster zones,  But attendance is limited.  Outside cluster zones: No more than 25% of the maximum occupancy or 50 people, whichever is less.  In yellow zones: No more than 25% or 25 people, whichever is less, with a maximum of 4-people per table.

Are outdoor, winter markets open this year? Yes. If you are going, you must adhere to social distancing and face covering requirements.

There will be COVID testing centers on November 27–29 from 9am–4pm on the corner of Randall and East Tremont.

From the NY State Liquor Authority, to State liquor license holders:

10 P.M. Curfew for Bars, Restaurants and Liquor Stores – Effective November 13, 2020 We are writing to thank you for remaining vigilant in complying with the important COVID-related public health requirements, and to remind and reaffirm to you that pursuant to Executive Order 202.74, effective Friday, November 13, 2020, New York State has imposed a new, statewide 10:00 PM curfew related to food and beverage service due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ON PREMISES SERVICE: All licensees with on-premises privileges (e.g. restaurants, taverns, clubs, catering halls, manufacturers with tasting rooms, etc.), must cease all on premises service (indoors or outdoors) of food and beverage at or before 10:00 PM daily. All such licensees must also ensure no consumption of food and beverage (indoors or outdoors) after 10:00 PM and that no patron remains in or enters into any interior portion of your premises at or after 10:00 PM. Licensees with on premises privileges may still provide food and non-alcoholic beverages for curbside or take-out window pickup or for delivery after 10:00 PM. Alcoholic beverages may not be sold for pick up or delivery at or after 10:00 PM, daily. No patrons should be at a licensed premise after 10:00 PM for any reason other than to pick up food or non-alcoholic beverages, and then only from an exterior point on the premises. Businesses may reopen for on premises service at 5:00 AM daily, and may resume alcohol sales based on the hours in the county where they operate, or the hours stipulated under the approved license – whichever is later. See county opening hours here.

LIQUOR AND WINE STORES: Additionally, all liquor stores and wine stores must cease all off-premises sales (including delivery and pickup) and close by 10:00 PM daily. Liquor and wine stores operating in counties where the county has restricted the closing hours earlier than 10:00 PM. must continue to abide by these further restrictions. See county closing and opening hours here.

For many years, local residents and businesses have hoped that a permanent evergreen tree would be planted at Derosa O’Boyle Triangle (Dewey Avenue between East Tremont and Edison.) The spot is where many community holiday events have occurred. The Throggs Neck BID has accomplished that goal! Working with the Parks Department, a tree will soon be planted there.