Cuomo: New York City Can Begin Reopening On June 8
by Sergei KlebnikovTOPLINE
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a press conference on Friday that his state is coming “close” to the bottom of the curve, with five regions now set to begin a phase 2 reopening.
KEY FACTS
The number of coronavirus hospitalizations, intubations and new cases were all down again on Friday, Cuomo said, which continues to be good news.
Another 67 New Yorkers died from the virus, which is down from 74 deaths in the previous day. The daily death toll continues to decline, hitting its “lowest level ever,” Cuomo said. “We hope and we pray that continues to be the case.”
5 upstate New York regions will now enter a phase 2 reopening, Cuomo confirmed on Friday: “Their data has been reviewed and the experts say to us it’s safe to move forward.”
Those regions that will enter phase 2 include: Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and the Mohawk Valley.
Phase 2 allows offices, stores and personal-service businesses like barber shops to reopen, but with restrictions.
The New York City region, which will be “more complicated” to reopen, is on track to enter phase 1 on June 8, Cuomo said.
Key background
Gov. Cuomo announced a new executive order on Thursday that allows businesses to deny entry to customers who don’t wear masks or face coverings. Almost all of New York’s regions, except for New York City, have so far qualified for a phase 1 reopening after meeting seven metrics outlined by state health officials. The Long Island and Mid-Hudson regions began their phase one reopening earlier this week.
What to watch for
New York City, which was hardest-hit by the pandemic, will be the last in the state to open: It currently only meets four out of the seven criteria required by the state to begin a phase 1 reopening.
Big number: Over 366,000.
That’s how many cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in New York as of Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Further reading
Cuomo Will Let New York Businesses Deny Service To Customers Without Masks (Forbes)
New York Reports Lowest Number Of Coronavirus Deaths As Two More Regions Reopen (Forbes)
New York Coronavirus Deaths Fall To Less Than 100 Per Day (Forbes)