Bars and restaurants that have been looking to expand their hours during the pandemic will be able to stay open until 12 a.m. starting Monday.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted out the announcement Wednesday. The curfew was previously 11 p.m.

"We need some, for lack of a better word, normalcy," says Throgs Neck resident Maria Loparrino.

In the city that never sleeps, having a curfew in place minimizes business and for business owners like Billy Tsibidis, it doesn't seem effective for stopping the spread of COVID-19.

"We're glad they are letting us open for another hour, but then again we should be able to stay open our normal hours 'cause COVID doesn’t know what time of the day it is anyway," Tsibidis says.

As more New Yorkers get vaccinated, Cuomo is slowly easing restrictions. But neighbors of the Crosstown Diner like Loparrino are rushing into eat and get back to what they call a normal life.

"We need to start building our communities back up again because we hurt very, very dearly from this pandemic, so I'm glad they are open 'til midnight," Loparrino says.

Even with efforts like outdoor dining, restaurant owners admit they have still taken a hit throughout the pandemic.

"All they're doing is hurting the business, hurting the people, when they come to realize that businesses have to open," Tsibidis says.

And even with the curfew extension, restaurants will still need to follow social distancing protocols, require masks when people are not sitting at a table, and keep tables apart from each other.

So as the Crosstown Diner follows those rules, owner Tsibidis wants normal operation.

"We run a safe show along with other restaurants that are doing the same thing, but they are still punishing us," Tsibidis says.

The new curfew takes effect Monday. With this change, catered events will also be allowed to stay open until 1 a.m.