May 3, 2021.
As we continue our progress against COVID-19 in New York, we’re able to take additional steps to reopen our economy and help businesses and workers. Today, in union with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, we announced the
easing of pandemic restrictions related to the tri-state region’s businesses, venues and gatherings. Most capacity limits will be lifted on May 19, including retail, food services, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barbershops and other personal care services. Capacity limits for houses of worship will also lift. New York is back, but it’s critical to maintain the progress that got us here—and we can do that by getting the vaccine. In New York, we’ve made it as easy as we can. Walk into any New York State vaccination site, walk out with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Photo of the Day: Georgia Tsafos received the 50,000th vaccine at the Old Westbury vaccination site today.
Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. Beginning May 17, the MTA will resume full 24-hour subway service. The MTA will continue its unprecedented disinfection and cleaning effort. The resumption of 24-hour service will coincide with the lifting of the 12am food and beverage service curfew for outdoor dining areas.
2. COVID hospitalizations are at 2,539. Of the 113,139 tests reported yesterday, 2,200, or 1.94 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 1.79 percent. There were 613 patients in ICU yesterday, down 24 from the previous day. Of them, 379 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 37 New Yorkers to the virus.
3.
As of 11am this morning, 46.6 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 91,035 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 15,734,364 total doses with 35.2 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker:
ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
4. Event venues can expand capacity starting May 19. Large-scale indoor event venues will operate at 30 percent capacity. Large-scale outdoor event venues will operate at 33 percent. Social distancing, masks, and other applicable health protocols will still apply, including the requirement that attendees have proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test result.
5. We will expand residential gathering limits. The outdoor residential gathering limits of 25 people will be removed on May 19, and the indoor residential gathering limit will increase from 10 to 50 people.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: A 79-year-old man in Alberta, Canada, went to beauty school
to help his wife of 50 years with her hair and makeup after her eyesight started failing. Knowing how much his wife enjoyed doing her hair and makeup, the husband (who wished to stay anonymous) went to Delmar College of Hair and Esthetics to take lessons so he could step in to help.
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Ever Upward,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
