New York restaurant and bar owners want Gov. Andrew Cuomo to extend the 10 p.m. curfew to midnight for Super Bowl LV on Sunday.

Amid in surge in COVID-19 cases in November, Cuomo placed a 10 p.m. curfew on the industry. With cases dropping, the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association wants Cuomo to allow businesses to serve customers past 10 p.m.

Scott Wexler, the executive director of the association, believes an extended curfew will give customers the opportunity to enjoy the highly popular sports event while allowing businesses to profit.

Wexler believes the extended curfew could also contribute to stopping the spread of COVID-19 on Super Bowl Sunday.

Since customers could use restaurants to meet with loved ones to watch the game, they wouldn’t have to leave at 10 p.m. and possibly go to someone’s home to finish watching the rest of the Super Bowl. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on infectious diseases, has warned that Super Bowl parties can be a superspreader event.

“Now that New Jersey has lifted the 10 pm curfew and New Yorkers will have ready access to late-night dining, the economic impact of New York’s curfew becomes more pronounced,” Wexler said in a statement.

“But we recognize that the Governor’s willingness to lift the curfew is dependent on his confidence that restaurants and bars will continue to follow the rules, that we won’t let the late hour reduce our commitment to compliance with the public health protections.”

The Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association recommended a program to monitor the potential success of a midnight curfew.

“We’re asking the Governor to give New York’s restaurant and tavern owners a chance to earn his trust for a long term change and to let our customers stay for the whole game,” Wexler stated.

“So, we propose a pilot – a test of a midnight curfew on Super Bowl Sunday. We’re asking the Governor to give New York’s restaurant and tavern owners a chance to earn his trust for a long term change and to let our customers stay for the whole game,” Wexler said in a release.

New York recently reported a 4.38% COVID-19 positivity rate, the state’s lowest since Nov. 28.

Cuomo has warned that the declining positivity rates should not mean a return to normal. He repeated how it was important to continue wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, in a March 27, 2020 file image, said 540 people had died in his state of 20 million inhabitants in the preceding 24 hours
NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, in a March 27, 2020 file image, said 540 people had died in his state of 20 million inhabitants in the preceding 24 hours AFP / Bryan R. Smith
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