Are New Yorkers Wedding-Hopping To Pennsylvania?

Never in my life did I think that dancing in a social setting such as a wedding reception or school dance would be not allowed. But here we are, thanks to the coronavirus.

Fortunately, for New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced last month that beginning March 15th,  catered affairs with up to 150 people or 50 percent of a venue, would be allowed. It had been set at 50 people. It's better than it was.

I recently spoke with a friend who I partner with to mobile DJ events about the new rules for wedding receptions since we have a few events coming up this year since he was not aware. I explained that to be a guest, you must have proof of testing negative for coronavirus or be able to present the card you recieve if you have been vaccinated.

I told him that beyond the proof of vaccination or negative testing, once you are at the wedding reception, you will have been assigned a specific seat. You will also be required to wear your face mask throughout the reception except when it's time to eat, and each guest must provide contact tracing information. Now, if you can take your mask off for food and drink at a wedding reception and you are holding a drink in your hand at all times, does that mean you don't have to wear your mask the entire time?

I continued explaining the rules to my friend who was clearly not liking what I was telling him. I said that if you plan to dance, you can only dance with members of our immediate family, household or party who are seated at your designated table. How that will all be enforced? That I am not clear about, but I will soon find out.

A day later, he called me to tell me a wedding reception we are scheduled to entertain, has been moved from a New York State location to a Pennsylvania location because of the strict New York rules. I'm not sure if the rules are any less in Pennsylvania. In my search, I found that as of April 4th, wedding receptions can be 50 percent maximum occupancy of an outdoor facility and 25 percent maximum occupancy of an indoor facility. Tables must be six feet apart. Other than that, I didn't see any other rules.

So, since we live on the New York/Pennsylvania border, will New York brides and grooms consider crossing the border if the rules are more relaxed? I'll be at least one.