New York should return to normal in the coming week. But in the last phase of the corona easing there is confusion instead of euphoria – because instead of the complete opening there are many restrictions and the fear of a second wave.
The plan actually seemed clear: after months of tough restrictions, the metropolis of New York, which was particularly badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, should begin with the first easing at the beginning of June and then open completely again over four two-week phases. It was meticulously stipulated which facilities were allowed to reopen in which phase, always with a strict view of the infection process. The original goal is set on Monday: the fourth and final easing phase will start – but instead of euphoria there is confusion, instead of complete opening there are further restrictions and above all, in view of the sharp rise in the number of infections in large parts of the country, there is concern about a new wave.
“I’m so proud of what the New Yorkers have achieved,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo. “But we must remain vigilant.” Just a few months ago, the metropolis was the epicenter of the pandemic in the USA: More than 220,000 of the approximately 8.5 million inhabitants have contracted the virus so far, more than 23,000 died after an infection – in April some 800 per day. The outbreak could be contained with strict restrictions, distance, mask and hygiene rules. Recently, the numbers have been falling steadily, recently there was finally another day without corona deaths for the first time.
The city, in which the economic crisis has already left its mark due to the restrictions and has led to mass unemployment, was able to reopen in phases at the beginning of June: first among other things, construction sites, then shops and hairdressers, and finally the outdoor areas of restaurants, cafes and bars.
Meanwhile, in large parts of the rest of the country, the picture is reversed: the number of new infections is rising again, sometimes to record highs. Thousands of people from these parts of the country come to New York every day, and the city is an important hub. Now almost all of them have to go into two-week quarantine, which is difficult to control. “We must not find ourselves in a situation where people from other parts of the country bring the virus back to us,” said Governor Cuomo.
Mediterranean flair in the midst of the crisis
And so the once euphorically anticipated fourth phase in New York can only start to a limited extent: Open-air leisure facilities such as zoos or botanical gardens as well as film and television production, yes – shopping centers and indoor areas of cultural institutions such as museums, no. The interiors of restaurants, which should actually have been open since the start of the third phase around two weeks ago, must remain closed for the time being. Meanwhile, in New York’s hot summer, thousands of restaurants have opened outdoor areas, which sometimes gives the city an almost Mediterranean flair. The rules for this have only just been tightened again: only those who order food are allowed to drink alcohol.
“We have to find a balance and we have time to look at the data, look at what is happening in the rest of the country, what is happening here in the city, and make other decisions,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The decision for the fourth easing phase brings some bright spots for the residents of New York: The city’s zoos and botanical gardens have already announced that they want to reopen. The popular High Line, a former elevated railway line that has been converted into a park, is already open, the Statue of Liberty wants to reopen on Monday – everything with capacity limits, mask, distance and hygiene rules.
Even in the last phase, the city is still a long way from being fully opened – and concern and confusion remain: The theaters of Broadway, the Metropolitan Opera as well as the Philharmonic and ballet ensembles have already announced that they will no longer offer regular events until the end of the year. Fitness studios should be allowed to reopen in the fourth phase, then fell out of the plan – many of them want to sue. Some museums already had plans to reopen in July and need to rethink – such as the Museum of the City of New York in Manhattan, directed by Whitney Donhauser. “We’ll be ready as soon as the governor tells us we can get started.”
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