New York State's new COVID restrictions: What you need to know

Cuomo and state officials contend that contact tracing shows that large gatherings, along with restaurants, bars and gyms, have been among the triggers causing an uptick in COVID-19 cases across the state. Long Island's positivity rate, which hovered around 1% for months, was 3.1% Wednesday while the statewide level was 2.95%.

Bars and any restaurant with a liquor license will be required to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. Restaurants will still be allowed to provide curbside and food-only pickup or delivery after 10 p.m. but will not be permitted to serve alcohol to go. The State Liquor Authority will issue additional guidance for licensees as to what sales can continue to be permitted.

State officials said any business with a liquor license would be subject to the new rules, including bowling alleys, movie theaters and pool halls.

The 10 p.m. closure applies to all restaurants or other SLA-licensed businesses, including catering halls, country clubs and event venues. However, the venues would be exempt from the 10-person capacity limit, even as local and state officials have said these types of events have occasionally turned into superspreader events. Catering venues, state officials said, are subject to capacity restrictions and regulations requiring masks when guests are not seated, as well as prohibiting dancing and gathering together when standing.

Cuomo said Wednesday that "gyms are also an identified spreading element." State officials Thursday said decreasing their hours of operation will limit the spread of the virus, allow gyms additional time to clean and sanitize and ensure that more people are home and not out in the community when spread occurs.

The governor said indoor gatherings, including Halloween parties, have contributed to the increase in virus cases. Indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people. Connecticut and Massachusetts are among the states with similar rules in place. The capacity limit, which would be enforced by local authorities, would not apply to households with more than 10 people. It remains unclear — outside of complaints from neighbors — how officials could enforce the restriction on small indoor gatherings in private homes, including at Thanksgiving.