Photo: Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
The New York state legislature on Tuesday said they will suspend a COVID-era rule requiring that people order food when purchasing alcohol, the New York Times reports.
What they're saying: "It is time to begin removing certain restrictions and regulations that are no longer necessary, so we can safely reopen and rebuild our state's economy," Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, per a local ABC affiliate.
Background: The rule was initially imposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last summer to make sure customers stayed seated in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
- Some bars and restaurants across the state used workarounds to abide by the directive, offering simple and affordable menu items "that would count as 'food' under the governor’s directive," the Times writes.
What's next: "The repeal of the rule would go into effect after passing both legislative chambers in Albany, which could happen this week," The Times writes.