Starting on the 19th of May, music venues and clubs in the American state of New York can increase their capacity from 10% to 30%.

The new rules will affect both indoor and outdoor venues, and large-scale outdoor events are allowed slightly more, as they are permitted to run at a 33.3%.

New York state was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic with over 19 million cases recorded, and New York City made up around 100,000 of those. The news of allowing venues to increase their capacity comes after a steep drop in infection rates.

Although the percentages are in place, there is also a limit on the capacity for larger venue spaces. The maximum capacity limit will increase to 250 people permitted at an indoor event, and 500 for an outdoor one. Social distancing must be maintained, and many venues also require mandatory mask-wearing.

Venues in the New York region and most other parts of the world are getting ready to reopen, and accommodate the legal requirements to be considered safe. Some venues owners are sceptical, and are being cautious during these times of uncertainty.

Bowen Goh is co-owner of New York club Mood Ring, and speaking with Resident Advisor he said: “I think a lot of people think, ‘Hey, things are going to open fully this month and I can go to a venue and party.’ That’s not really the case. And so, we’ve gotten a lot of calls from people asking, ‘Are you having DJs? Are you throwing dance parties in the back?’

“The answer is no, and I’m not going to start booking people until there’s a very clear sign [that it’s safe]—like if cases are super low and a lot of people are vaccinated. If you can actually have people inside safely walk around without a mask on.”

H/T: Resident Advisor