People ride tandem bikes with face masks along Coney Island’s boardwalk in Brooklyn, New York, while coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, on May 4, 2020.
Shannon Stapleton | Reuters
New York is moving forward with the reopening of more businesses amid a post-holiday decline in Covid-19 cases, but the state is keeping “an eye” on the annoying variants of the virus that could reverse its progress.
Covered family entertainment centers, such as arcades, trampolines or laser tagging facilities, will be able to reopen from March 26 with a capacity of 25% with additional precautions, such as social distancing. the use of masks and frequent cleaning.
Outdoor amusement parks may reopen on April 9 with 33% capacity with similar requirements, and parents may plan to return from summer camps sometime in June, said the Democratic governor in a call to reporters.
Cuomo has begun to gradually lift more restrictions on businesses in recent weeks as the state launches more doses of Covid-19 vaccines and cases continue to decline from a post-holiday increase.
The state reports a weekly average of 7,949 Covid cases a day, a drop of more than 8% from a week ago and the lowest figure since early December, according to a CNBC analysis of data compiled by the University Johns Hopkins.
Last week, Cuomo said New York’s major stadiums and arenas will reopen in late February with the necessary tests in advance, a strategy where the state “wants to lead the way.” Over the weekend, New York City restaurants were able to reopen their indoor dining sections with 25% capacity.
However, new and highly contagious variants of the Covid-19 could reverse New York’s progress or hinder its planned reopening. The governor said the state has now identified 82 Covid-19 cases with the variant first identified in the UK in December, known as B.1.1.7., With 12 additional cases added since Saturday. He said most of these new cases were found in the New York area.
This is developing news. Please check back later for updates.