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Several Regions of New York Are Starting to Reopen: Live Updates Several Regions of New York Are Starting to Reopen: Live Updates
(30 minutes later)
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware have jointly agreed to allow beaches and lakeshores to open next Friday for Memorial Day weekend, but at reduced capacity and with restrictions, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Friday. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said Saturday the state would allow horse racing tracks and the Watkins Glen International auto racing track to open without fans on June 1, allowing for events that can be televised.
But local governments will be allowed to make their own decisions about whether beaches reopen in their jurisdictions, including in New York City, where Mayor Bill de Blasio said that city-run beaches would not open. “Great, we can have economic activity without having a crowd, that’s great,” Mr. Cuomo said. “We can do that in this state. But no crowds, no fans.”
Mr. Cuomo’s announcement of the agreement came a day after the governors of New Jersey and Delaware, Philip D. Murphy and John Carney, said their states would allow beaches to reopen by Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of those areas’ busy seasons. Mr. Cuomo listed several horse racing tracks, including Belmont Park on Long Island, as being eligible for reopening in June. Watkins Glen International, which was set to host a NASCAR race in August before the pandemic arrived, is also eligible to open next month.
With parts of upstate New York beginning a gradual reopening, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued an executive order late Thursday night extending stay-at-home orders for other regions, including New York City, that do not meet the state’s criteria to begin a limited reopening. Mr. Cuomo also reiterated his hope to have baseball return without fans, but noted that it was out of his control.
Under the new order, the five regions of the state that have not met key requirements — which include declines in new positive virus cases and deaths, and increases in testing, hospital capacity and contact tracing — will remain shut down through May 28. “You can have baseball without a crowd, but it can still be televised,” he said.
On Friday, Mr. Cuomo clarified at his daily briefing that the remaining regions, which include New York City’s suburbs and the Buffalo area, would be able to reopen once they met the state’s benchmarks. The news of a renewed economic engine came as major indicators, such as new hospitalizations and virus-related deaths, continued a steady decline. The number of new deaths went up slightly, to 157, up from 132 reported a day earlier. The number of total deaths had remained under 200 in the last week, according to state data.
“That number has been stubborn,” he said. “We don’t want to go back to the hell we’ve gone through.”
The number of new cases also saw a decline, 400, compared to 437 reported on Friday.
“It’s interesting to look at the curve, how fast we went up and now how relatively slow the decline has been,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Spike happens quickly, but resolves slowly.”
The announcements of the sporting venues opening was another step in the state’s reopening. On Friday, five of the 10 New York regions were given the green light to resume a sanitized version of nonessential businesses operations, including construction, manufacturing and curbside retail.
Mr. Cuomo also threw a lifeline to eager beachgoers on Friday when he announced that a consortium of four neighboring states — New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware — had agreed to reopen beaches and other waterfronts by Memorial Day weekend provided local governments enforced social distancing restrictions and reduced capacity.
Local governments, however, are allowed to make their own judgments on opening beaches; in New York City, where infection rates have abated at a slower rate, beaches will remain closed.
With a warmer weekend ahead, New York City will continue working to reduce crowds at parks in Brooklyn and Manhattan, including deploying police officers to limit access to the popular Sheep Meadow in Central Park, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.With a warmer weekend ahead, New York City will continue working to reduce crowds at parks in Brooklyn and Manhattan, including deploying police officers to limit access to the popular Sheep Meadow in Central Park, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
But the city would also “reset” its approach to enforcing social distancing, Mr. de Blasio said at his daily briefing on Friday. Police officers would now focus on breaking up large gatherings, with the goal of avoiding giving summons, he said.But the city would also “reset” its approach to enforcing social distancing, Mr. de Blasio said at his daily briefing on Friday. Police officers would now focus on breaking up large gatherings, with the goal of avoiding giving summons, he said.
The Police Department would also no longer be asked to enforce orders requiring people to wear face coverings if they cannot properly social distance, Mr. de Blasio said.The Police Department would also no longer be asked to enforce orders requiring people to wear face coverings if they cannot properly social distance, Mr. de Blasio said.
The announcement came after complaints in recent weeks that the police were unfairly targeting black and Latino residents in their enforcement. On Thursday, the mayor criticized officers seen in a video wrestling a woman to the ground after attempting to arrest her for not covering her face.The announcement came after complaints in recent weeks that the police were unfairly targeting black and Latino residents in their enforcement. On Thursday, the mayor criticized officers seen in a video wrestling a woman to the ground after attempting to arrest her for not covering her face.
For almost two months, much of daily life has been halted in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as officials sought to bring the coronavirus outbreak under control.For almost two months, much of daily life has been halted in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as officials sought to bring the coronavirus outbreak under control.
But with the virus showing signs of retreat, officials across the region have turned their attention to reviving the economies of their states.But with the virus showing signs of retreat, officials across the region have turned their attention to reviving the economies of their states.
This week and next will offer some of the first crucial tests of whether those plans will work and a window into what “normal” life may be like in the months ahead.This week and next will offer some of the first crucial tests of whether those plans will work and a window into what “normal” life may be like in the months ahead.
Here is a look at what types of businesses, services and public places are expected to reopen, and when, in each of the three states:Here is a look at what types of businesses, services and public places are expected to reopen, and when, in each of the three states:
On March 20, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued an executive order putting New York “on pause.” Under the 10-point plan, all of nonessential businesses had to close by the evening of March 22. Mr. Cuomo extended the order once in April, and again on Thursday for a majority of New Yorkers.On March 20, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued an executive order putting New York “on pause.” Under the 10-point plan, all of nonessential businesses had to close by the evening of March 22. Mr. Cuomo extended the order once in April, and again on Thursday for a majority of New Yorkers.
On Friday, five of the state’s 10 regions became eligible to begin “phase one” of the state’s reopening plan. The five regions are:On Friday, five of the state’s 10 regions became eligible to begin “phase one” of the state’s reopening plan. The five regions are:
the Finger Lakes, including Rochesterthe Finger Lakes, including Rochester
the Southern Tier, which borders Pennsylvaniathe Southern Tier, which borders Pennsylvania
the Mohawk Valley, west of Albanythe Mohawk Valley, west of Albany
the North Country, which includes the Adirondack Mountains.the North Country, which includes the Adirondack Mountains.
and Central New York, which includes Syracuseand Central New York, which includes Syracuse
The following types of businesses can resume in those regions, provided that certain public health measures are in place:The following types of businesses can resume in those regions, provided that certain public health measures are in place:
Construction, manufacturing and wholesale trade.Construction, manufacturing and wholesale trade.
Some retail businesses — including those that sell clothing, electronics, furniture, books, sporting goods, shoes, flowers, jewelry and other types of goods — may open for curbside service only.Some retail businesses — including those that sell clothing, electronics, furniture, books, sporting goods, shoes, flowers, jewelry and other types of goods — may open for curbside service only.
Other activities that are allowed include drive-in movies, landscaping and gardening businesses and “low-risk recreational activities” like tennis, a sport with built-in social distancing.Other activities that are allowed include drive-in movies, landscaping and gardening businesses and “low-risk recreational activities” like tennis, a sport with built-in social distancing.
As of Wednesday, elective surgeries were allowed in 47 New York counties; state court officials said this week that judges and staff members would begin returning to courthouses in 30 upstate counties on May 20.As of Wednesday, elective surgeries were allowed in 47 New York counties; state court officials said this week that judges and staff members would begin returning to courthouses in 30 upstate counties on May 20.
State residents have been mostly required to stay at home under an executive order in effect since March 21. Gov. Phillip D. Murphy’s order makes exceptions for trips to visit businesses considered essential: getting takeout food restaurants, procuring medical services or to meet other urgent demands.State residents have been mostly required to stay at home under an executive order in effect since March 21. Gov. Phillip D. Murphy’s order makes exceptions for trips to visit businesses considered essential: getting takeout food restaurants, procuring medical services or to meet other urgent demands.
Mr. Murphy said this week that under a new executive order, some nonessential businesses would be allowed to resume operations at various points this month. Among the changes:Mr. Murphy said this week that under a new executive order, some nonessential businesses would be allowed to resume operations at various points this month. Among the changes:
All retail stores in the state can begin offering curbside pickup of goods starting Monday; nonessential construction projects can also restart at 6 a.m. that day.All retail stores in the state can begin offering curbside pickup of goods starting Monday; nonessential construction projects can also restart at 6 a.m. that day.
Drive-in movies, religious services and other gatherings will be allowed as long as people stay in their cars.Drive-in movies, religious services and other gatherings will be allowed as long as people stay in their cars.
Officials allowed parks and golf courses to reopen on May 2.Officials allowed parks and golf courses to reopen on May 2.
Most Connecticut residents have been under orders to stay at home as much as possible since mid-March. But the state has not been hit quite as hard by the virus as New York and New Jersey, and officials envision what amounts to a broader, faster reopening.Most Connecticut residents have been under orders to stay at home as much as possible since mid-March. But the state has not been hit quite as hard by the virus as New York and New Jersey, and officials envision what amounts to a broader, faster reopening.
Officials announced earlier this month that restaurants, offices, retail establishments and hair salons would be allowed to open on May 20 at 50 percent capacity with proper health precautions in place.Officials announced earlier this month that restaurants, offices, retail establishments and hair salons would be allowed to open on May 20 at 50 percent capacity with proper health precautions in place.
More specifically:More specifically:
Restaurants will be open for outdoor dining only; menus will need to be disposable or posted on boards; and silverware must be packaged or rolled.Restaurants will be open for outdoor dining only; menus will need to be disposable or posted on boards; and silverware must be packaged or rolled.
Offices can open but companies have been advised to encourage employees to continue to working from home.Offices can open but companies have been advised to encourage employees to continue to working from home.
Retail businesses are required to close fitting rooms, create physical barriers at checkout and install markers that indicate six feet of distance.Retail businesses are required to close fitting rooms, create physical barriers at checkout and install markers that indicate six feet of distance.
Hair salons can open, but can see customers by appointment only and must close their waiting areas.Hair salons can open, but can see customers by appointment only and must close their waiting areas.
Connecticut officials have also said that colleges and universities in the state can reopen in stages over the summer and fall and that summer camps are on track to begin in late June.Connecticut officials have also said that colleges and universities in the state can reopen in stages over the summer and fall and that summer camps are on track to begin in late June.
As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help. We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what’s happening in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers.As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help. We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what’s happening in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers.
A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.
Reporting was contributed by Michael Gold, Matt Stevens and Katie Van Syckle. Reporting was contributed by Michael Gold, Matt Stevens, Andrea Salcedo, Edgar Sandoval and Katie Van Syckle.