This archive report was first published on 17 May 2020.
Beachgoers Warned: De Blasio Urges Caution Amid Warm Weather ¶
As temperatures rise in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio has issued a warning against crowding at city beaches. Although the beaches are not officially open, the mayor has said that the city will continue to monitor them to prevent overcrowding.
“No swimming. No parties. No sports. No gatherings,” de Blasio said at his daily news conference on Sunday. “We’re going to give people a chance to get it right.”
The city is preparing to install fencing to close off the beaches if there are widespread reports of people crowding and violating social distancing rules.
De Blasio also urged residents not to travel long distances to get to city beaches, citing concerns about overcrowding on public transportation.
Meanwhile, Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced plans to reopen the state's economy, with five of the state's 10 regions becoming eligible to begin “phase one” of the state's reopening plan.
The five regions are the Finger Lakes, the Southern Tier, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, and Central New York.
Under the plan, certain types of businesses can resume operations, including construction, manufacturing, and wholesale trade. Some retail businesses may also open for curbside service only.
As of Wednesday, elective surgeries were allowed in 47 New York counties, and state court officials said that judges and staff members would begin returning to courthouses in 30 upstate counties on May 20.
State residents have been mostly required to stay at home under an executive order in effect since March 21, but Governor Phillip D. Murphy has said that the state will begin to reopen its economy in the coming weeks.
