HOME > NEWS > Most COVID business capacity limits to end in New York region on May 19 Most COVID business capacity limits to end in New York region on May 19 Reuters | May 03, 2021 11:43 PM EDT People wearing protective masks are seen in Times Square during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Manhattan (Photo : REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo) New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will lift most of their coronavirus capacity restrictions on businesses, including retail stores, food services and gyms, beginning on May 19, the governors of the three states said on Monday. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who announced the plan coordinated with the governors of other states in the U.S. Northeast region, said the decision was based on a steady decline in the positive rate of COVID-19 tests and hospitalizations.