NYC Indoor Dining Return Delayed Amid National Coronavirus Surge

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — New York City's long-awaited return to indoor dining will be pushed back amid a national coronavirus resurgence, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday.

"We've got to honor those facts and not forge ahead on indoor dining," he said.

Indoor dining was poised to return as part of New York City's anticipated move in Phase Three of reopening.

But de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week warned that indoor dining could be 86'd after coronavirus cases in states such as Florida and Texas spiked. Even states like Michigan with relatively-better coronavirus numbers had COVID-19 outbreaks tied to restaurants and bars, they pointed out.

De Blasio led off Wednesday's news conference with some admitted "bad news" — indoor dining will be delayed.

New York City's coronavirus numbers continue to drop, but "shockingly worse" numbers across the country made it prudent to hold back, de Blasio said.

"We’ve got to honor those facts and not forge ahead on indoor dining," he said.

De Blasio said the city will "double down" on outdoor dining. About 6,600 restaurants have applied to run outdoor dining spaces, and the city will work to help others expand, he said.