Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced restaurant workers, taxi drivers and people with disabilities are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The governor added the actual decision-making will be up to local governments that decide which group in the population gets priority.

Restaurant workers say they see this as a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

"We are definitely excited," said Michael Abbatiello, owner of City Cellar. "We see this as the next step moving forward to get back to normal, especially in this industry. We were hit really hard by COVID. I think our staff and customers will feel much more safe dining out in restaurants once we are able to receive the vaccine."

Restaurant owners News 12 spoke with say they hope by this time next year the restaurant business will be back on track.

But getting the vaccine and being eligible for the shot are completely different, some say.

With appointments hard to come by, coupled with long lines and even longer wait times, some believe getting the vaccine may be a shot in the dark.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran says the county will offer vaccinations to everyone who is eligible as long as the supply holds out.

"All I can guarantee you is what we get in, we will make sure we get into an arm, but we need to get more in," said Curran.

Brendan Lafferty is a bartender and waiter who says if getting the shot means more tips and getting his bills paid - he's on board.

"Yeah, ready to go, let's do it," Lafferty said.

The governor announced he added the new eligible group because federal officials informed him New York state's allotment of vaccines will increase by 20% over the next few weeks.