Apparently, Governor Cuomo no longer believes the hour from 10 to 11 pm is a dangerous time that will cause the spread of COVID-19. This past Sunday Cuomo issued an executive order that extended the closing time for not only bars and restaurants but also billiards halls, casinos and gyms to remain open the additional hour.
Faced with criticism that his mandate of closing these establishments at 10 pm caused loss revenue during the NFL playoffs and other events, the Governor stuck to his guns saying he was only now permitting the extra hour because the total hospitalizations and the positivity rate recent declines warrants such actions.
“As we move forward, we will continue to follow the science and data and take these kinds of steps to help us finally return to normal,” Cuomo said.
