News

Cuomo Says New York City Will Ease Coronavirus Shutdown By June 8

New York City will begin reopening June 8, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Friday.

As the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., non-essential businesses in New York City have been shut down since late March and police have been dispatched to enforce social distancing.

More than 200,000 New York City residents tested positive for COVID-19 and over 16,000 died from the disease.

Other parts of the state began to reopen in mid-May after satisfying seven requirements set by the governor. New York City is the only region that has not met the preliminary criteria, as the city does not yet have enough hospital beds or contact tracers.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Cuomo believes that the city will fulfill the requirements for beginning stage one of reopening by June 8. That phase would permit retail stores to open for curbside or in-store pickup and would allow nonessential construction and manufacturing to resume.

“I am proud of the way New York is figuring it out,” Cuomo said. “Remember, reopening does not mean we’re going back to the way things were. It is reopening to a new normal. It’s a safer normal. People will be wearing masks. People will be socially distant.”

The governor addressed concerns about public transportation in New York City, which often saw packed subway cars and buses during rush hour.

“We wouldn’t operate it unless it is safe,” he said, adding that riders should actively avoid crowded trains or buses.

Cuomo also said Friday that five regions: Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and the Mohawk Valley have been cleared to enter the second phase of reopening, in which offices, stores and personal-service business such as salons can reopen with some social distancing and sanitation protocols.

CORONAVIRUS FAQ: WIKI OF MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Katherine Huggins

Recent Posts

Democrats Attack Green Party Nominee Jill Stein In New Ad

A new ad about Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been released by Vice President Kamala Harris'…

12 hours ago

Jennifer Lopez Says Trump ‘Offended Every Latino In The Country’ With MSG Joke At Harris Rally

https://youtu.be/inbJpo6D4BQ Jennifer Lopez, campaigning with Kamala Harris on Oct. 31 in Nevada, said Donald Trump’s…

13 hours ago

Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn Says ‘Gates Of Hell’ Will Be Opened On Opponents If Trump Is Reelected

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn declared that the "gates of hell" would be unleashed if former…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Kamala Harris Hugs First Person In Line For Her Ellipse Rally, Chats With Her Mom

https://youtu.be/JQCdk-71tG0 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris met with the woman who was the first in…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Harris Vows To Put ‘Country Above Party’ In Front Of 75,000 People At The Ellipse

https://youtu.be/xc72fdqkaVc Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to put “country above party and above self” as…

3 days ago

Trump-Friendly Judge Aileen Cannon In The Running For Attorney General If Former President Wins Second Term

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has reportedly been placed on a list of potential attorney general candidates…

3 days ago