NY Coronavirus Restrictions On Live Performances Lifted

NEW YORK CITY — Lost in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's long-awaited direct response to sexual harassment accusations on Wednesday was good news for fans of live performances.

Cuomo and his budget Director Rob Mujica announced that arts, entertainment and event venues can reopen at 33 percent capacity starting April 2.

The state already loosened coronavirus restrictions on large venues that allowed the Buffalo Bills and Brooklyn Nets play to small crowds.

"Following from that, for event spaces that are less than 10,000 those can begin reopening at 33 percent capacity with up to 100 people indoors and, again, 200 people outdoors," Mujica said.

The crowds can grow to 150 people indoors or 500 people outdoors so long as attendees pass COVID-19 tests, Mujica said.

Cuomo's ability to set and lift restrictions stems from emergency powers state lawmakers granted him for the pandemic. But many lawmakers and local officials, led by Mayor Bill de Blasio, have called for Cuomo's powers to be lifted amid accusations his administration withheld nursing home deaths from COVID-19.

Lawmakers moved forward with plans Tuesday to strip Cuomo of at least some powers, according to the New York Post. By Wednesday, Cuomo framed it as a "deal," although it was unclear how much say the embattled governor had over increasingly-emboldened lawmakers.

Cuomo said coronavirus emergency powers will continue to the end of the pandemic as set by the federal government, but the Legislatures can repeal any executive order with a 50 percent vote. He must also give a five-day notice to lawmakers and consult with them before changing an order, unless there's an emergency.