New York Set for Full Reopening
New York state has crossed the 70% threshold for COVID-19 vaccinations that Governor Andrew Cuomo has set to lift most remaining pandemic restrictions, CDC data show. To celebrate, there will be fireworks across the state Tuesday night, which are also meant to be a salute to essential workers. More than 11.2 million New York residents were partially vaccinated as of Monday, including 10.8 million adults.
“We can now return to life as we know it,” Cuomo said. New York currently has the lowest COVID positivity rate in the country.
Under the new policy, all capacity restrictions, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection requirements, health screenings, and contact tracing requirements will now be lifted throughout the state for commercial settings. These include retail, food services, offices, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barbershops, personal care services and more.
While the state has reached the 70% threshold, not every region is there just yet. More than half of New York City residents are not fully vaccinated yet. However, De Blasio said Tuesday he’s “very comfortable” with the imminent complete New York state reopening. “More than half of the city [is] on their way to full vaccination. It’s time, I’m very comfortable that it’s time,” de Blasio said during his daily press conference.
