Three regions of New York State, the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States with more than 26,600 deaths, may gradually reopen asor was scheduled on May 15But not yet the Big Apple, authorities said Monday.
“We started a new chapter today in many ways,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said at a news conference, announcing the partial reopening of construction, industries and retail with deliveries from off-premises purchases. in three of the 10 regions of this state of 19 million inhabitants.
“It is a new phase” after the confinement decreed on March 22he added.
But in New York City, the biggest focus of the epicenter, most non-essential businesses won’t be able to open until at least June, Mayor Bill de Blasio warned, without giving a precise date.
“We will always be guided by the data. They are quite good and consistent. But they are not yet where we need them (…) That brings us to June,” the mayor said at a press conference.
“As we get closer to the beginning of June, we will be able to say if things are really heading and what are the areas where we can start to have some flexibility,” he added.
The death toll from coronavirus in New York state in the last 24 hours is the lowest since March 27, 161 deaths, said Cuomo, against 799 dead at the apex of the pandemic on April 9. New cases in 24 hours fell to less than 500.
But the authorities fear that the numbers will rise again with the reopening of economic activity and the end of the lockdown.
To reopen its economy, Cuomo’s plan calls for the state’s 10 regions to meet seven criteria, including more diagnostic tests and antibodies, increased contact tracing, 30% vacant hospital capacity, and a sustained drop in cases and deaths over time.
For now, the three regions that meet these criteria and will be able to reopen are the Finger Lakes, the Southern Tier (on the border with Pennsylvania) and the Mohawk Valley, west of the state capital of Albany.
–
