New York’s outdoor amusement parks that were shuttered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic can reopen at limited capacity in April — and summer camps across the Empire State should “plan on reopening” in June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday.
Outdoor amusement parks can reopen on April 9 at 33 percent capacity, with COVID-19 safety protocols in place like mask-wearing and social distancing, the governor announced on a conference call with reporters.
“Rides or attractions that cannot be socially distanced must remain closed,” Cuomo explained.
“Indoor family entertainment centers” can also reopen beginning Mar. 26 at 25 percent capacity, Cuomo said — though it wasn’t immediately clear what falls under that umbrella.
Cuomo did not give an exact date for when New York’s overnight summer camps can reopen from their coronavirus-induced closures, beyond that they can plan on reopening in June.
“We hope the current trajectory [of coronavirus positivity rates] stays until June,” said Cuomo.
Summer camps must have coronavirus testing protocol in place to reopen, he said.
New York state’s COVID-19 positivity rate has been trending down, with the latest positive testing rate for the bug at 3.58 percent, data shows.
The statewide COVID-19 infection rate on a seven-day rolling average has declined for 40 straight days, with the latest rate at 3.6 percent, Cuomo said, noting that it’s the lowest for the seven-day average since Nov. 28.
In the last 24 hours, 109 New Yorkers died as a result of the coronavirus, “even with all that progress,” said Cuomo.
The rate of total hospitalizations for COVID-19 dropped by 46, bringing the statewide total to 6,574, according to state data.
