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Coronavirus in N.Y.: Live Updates Coronavirus in N.Y.: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Friday that New York City, one of the global centers of the coronavirus pandemic, would begin reopening on June 8, the first step in ending one of the country’s strictest lockdowns.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Friday that New York City, one of the global centers of the coronavirus pandemic, would begin reopening on June 8, the first step in ending one of the country’s strictest lockdowns.
Since late March, the city has been all but paralyzed under the devastating weight of the outbreak.Since late March, the city has been all but paralyzed under the devastating weight of the outbreak.
Nonessential businesses were shuttered and restaurants were open only for takeout and delivery. Nearly 900,000 jobs vanished almost overnight, over 20,000 people died and more than 200,000 were infected as ambulances howled through empty streets.Nonessential businesses were shuttered and restaurants were open only for takeout and delivery. Nearly 900,000 jobs vanished almost overnight, over 20,000 people died and more than 200,000 were infected as ambulances howled through empty streets.
In mid-May, other parts of the state began to reopen after meeting seven public-health benchmarks set by the governor.In mid-May, other parts of the state began to reopen after meeting seven public-health benchmarks set by the governor.
New York City is the only region that has not met those criteria. As of Thursday, the last time the state updated its public dashboard, the city did not have enough hospital beds available or contact tracers in place.New York City is the only region that has not met those criteria. As of Thursday, the last time the state updated its public dashboard, the city did not have enough hospital beds available or contact tracers in place.
But Mr. Cuomo said on Friday that he expected the city to meet the benchmarks by June 8. In Phase 1 of reopening, retail stores can open for curbside or in-store pickup and nonessential construction and manufacturing can resume, sending as many as 400,000 people back to work.But Mr. Cuomo said on Friday that he expected the city to meet the benchmarks by June 8. In Phase 1 of reopening, retail stores can open for curbside or in-store pickup and nonessential construction and manufacturing can resume, sending as many as 400,000 people back to work.
“I am proud of the way New York is figuring it out,” Mr. Cuomo said.“I am proud of the way New York is figuring it out,” Mr. Cuomo said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, appearing by video at Mr. Cuomo’s daily briefing, said, “We are on now the gateway to the next big step.”Mayor Bill de Blasio, appearing by video at Mr. Cuomo’s daily briefing, said, “We are on now the gateway to the next big step.”
The mayor and the governor cautioned that New Yorkers needed to continue taking precautions to keep the virus in check. More than 5,000 people in New York City tested positive for the virus last week — a steep drop from early April, when 40,000 people a week were testing positive, but still a significant number.The mayor and the governor cautioned that New Yorkers needed to continue taking precautions to keep the virus in check. More than 5,000 people in New York City tested positive for the virus last week — a steep drop from early April, when 40,000 people a week were testing positive, but still a significant number.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said this week that when New York City begins reopening at least 200,000 idled workers would return to their jobs.Mayor Bill de Blasio said this week that when New York City begins reopening at least 200,000 idled workers would return to their jobs.
This raised a big question: How will they get to work?This raised a big question: How will they get to work?
During the pandemic, New Yorkers have come to regard their city’s mass transit system as a gigantic rolling petri dish.During the pandemic, New Yorkers have come to regard their city’s mass transit system as a gigantic rolling petri dish.
Ridership is down more than 90 percent, largely because only essential workers are supposed to be taking it now. But it is also because many people fear contracting the coronavirus on the transit system, even though subways and buses are being disinfected every day.Ridership is down more than 90 percent, largely because only essential workers are supposed to be taking it now. But it is also because many people fear contracting the coronavirus on the transit system, even though subways and buses are being disinfected every day.
A sudden surge of riders would make it hard, if not impossible, to maintain social distancing, a fact underscored on Thursday when the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged commuters nationwide who return to their jobs not to take mass transit.A sudden surge of riders would make it hard, if not impossible, to maintain social distancing, a fact underscored on Thursday when the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged commuters nationwide who return to their jobs not to take mass transit.
Mr. de Blasio this week said that he understood that many would feel uncomfortable returning to mass transit and that some would walk or bike, while others would drive or take cabs. But he offered little further guidance.Mr. de Blasio this week said that he understood that many would feel uncomfortable returning to mass transit and that some would walk or bike, while others would drive or take cabs. But he offered little further guidance.
Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut announced that the state would begin to allow gatherings of up to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, easing restrictions that had previously prohibited gatherings larger than five people.
At a briefing on Friday, Mr. Lamont also said that houses of worship would be allowed to hold indoor gatherings at 25 percent capacity or up to 100 people, whichever is fewer; outdoor services could include up to 150 people as long as social distancing was observed, he said.
And Mr. Lamont conceded defeat in his discussions with casinos on land held by sovereign nations, saying that they would move forward with their plans to restart on June 1, with some operations resuming as early as Saturday.
Mr. Lamont has vocally opposed reopening casinos at this time and has been in talks with tribal leadership about the issue for weeks. He said Friday that casino operators had agreed to not allow out-of-state residents to stay at their hotels initially, to require face coverings for visitors, and to only allow outdoor dining.
Still, Mr. Lamont issued a warning for would-be gamblers: “This is a risk you’re taking,” he said.
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.
Reporting was contributed by Christina Goldbaum, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Matt Stevens and Katie Van Syckle.