Cuomo says New York on track for major reopening, lifting of COVID capacity limits by mid-May

DAILY NEWS

By CHRIS SOMMERFELDT and DENIS SLATTERY

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS 

New York is turning the COVID corner and lifting capacity limits for most businesses beginning May 19, Gov. Cuomo announced Monday. Restaurants, museums, theaters, retail stores and other businesses will be allowed to reopen at full capacity in just over two weeks time in the Empire State as well as neighboring New Jersey and Connecticut.

The new changes announced Monday were coupled with the return of full 24-hour subway operations, ending a year-long shutdown that saw stations across the system closed to the public overnight.The governor said the decision to lift the limits was based on a steady decline in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks.Vaccination rates have climbed as eligibility opened up to all New Yorkers over 16 last month as well. “New Yorkers have made tremendous progress,” Cuomo said. “It’s time to readjust the decision made on the science and on the data. Masks must still be worn in most situations and other COVID-19 safety measures will remain in place, Cuomo said. He also offered a caveat for businesses, noting that businesses must still ensure that customers and patrons can maintain a required social distance of six feet.

Mayor de Blasio, proclaiming the upcoming season “the summer of New York City,” expressed hope last week that the city could potentially see a full reopening by July 1.The mayor’s optimism spurred Cuomo to step in and say it was “irresponsible” to make predictions about when the city would get back to normal before saying he would like to see things reopened earlier.

The only capacity limits that will remain in place across New York and New Jersey after May 19 will be for large-scale indoor and outdoor venues and gatherings.

Large indoor and outdoor venues will go to 30% and 33% capacity and attendees at concerts and sporting events will still have to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test.Fans watch as New York Mets' Jacob deGrom delivers a pitch during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 23, in New York. Sports arenas will continue to operate at 33% capacity, but the governor said he believes there is room to increase attendance as vaccination rates increase. (Frank Franklin II/AP)

As previously announced, bars and restaurants will see the current midnight curfew lifted for outdoor dining on May 17 and closing time can go back to 4 a.m. for indoor dining at the end of the month. Just last week, Cuomo announced that city restaurants will be able to expand to 75% capacity beginning this coming Friday, May 7.The ramped-up reopening comes amid plummeting coronavirus and hospitalization rates. New York reported a 1.94% positivity rate on Sunday and 2,539 people remain hospitalized.

So far, New York has administered 15.7 million doses of vaccine and seven million people are fully immunized against the deadly virus. Cuomo said the current supply is outpacing demand despite eligibility being opened up to anyone over 16.