Outdoor events can now increase capacity from 200 to 500 people as the state continues to ease COVID-19 restrictions.

This means future festivals and weddings and other outdoor events can now increase capacity.

By next week on May 19, events held inside can have up to 250 guests. That is also the same day when the state will lift capacity limits on thousands of businesses.

Last week, indoor capacity at restaurants went up to 75%.

Soon, local eateries and other spaces will be free to welcome even more customers as long as establishments continue to space groups six feet apart.

The same policy goes for salons, gyms and retail stores.

As for when the city can expect to relax rules on mask wearing indefinitely, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had cleared those who are vaccinated to unmask outdoors, except in certain crowded settings.

White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Facui was asked whether it's time to relax indoor masking requirements, and he said as long as people continue to get vaccinated, it's a strong possibility the country is heading in that direction.