New York Office Capacity Will Expand to 75 Percent, Starting May 15
By Celia Young April 26, 2021 3:05 pm
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More office employees around New York state will don slacks instead of sweatpants, after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday that office capacity will be expanded from the current limit of 50 percent to 75 percent starting on May 15.
The change in the state’s COVID-related guidelines follows the growing pace of vaccinations in New York and nationally, which Cuomo cited during a press conference in Syracuse, N.Y. The lessened restrictions mark a slow return to office life, after the pandemic shuttered office towers, caused subway ridership to plummet 92 percent, and sent maybe thousands of city residents to the suburbs.
It also comes as more organizations start to reopen their offices, even with many allowing employees to work from home permanently. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that city workers will be required to return to the office on May 3, while Morgan Stanley is planning a “full return” to its Midtown headquarters “when it is safe to do so.”
New York Yankees and Mets fans will be pleased to hear that capacity for outdoor stadiums will be raised from 20 to 33 percent capacity on May 19.
Outside the city, casinos can raise their occupancy levels from 25 percent to 50 percent on May 15. Gyms and fitness clubs will also see more guests, with capacity restrictions increased from 33 percent to 50 percent occupancy.
