New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says during a news conference at LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B, during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York Urban district, New York, June 10, 2020.
Brendan McDermid | Reuters
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Friday that the state make allow museums, aquariums and other cultural centers in New York City to reopen in the coming weeks and will make available reopening guidelines for gymnasiums on Monday.
“Low-risk cultural activities, museums, aquariums, other low risk cultural crafts can reopen in New York City Aug. 24 so they can get their protocols in place,” he said on a conference call with camerawomen. Museums and other cultural events can operate at 25% capacity, but they have to issue timed ticketing with staggered entrant. Face coverings also must be worn at all times, he said.
Bowling alleys also will be allowed to reopen starting Monday at 50% occupancy with face to face coverings and every other lane closed, he said. Bowling alleys also must have cleaning and purifier protocols in place, especially for shared equipment, he said.
Low-risk indoor arts and entertainment activities are allowed to repayment under the state’s phase four reopening plan. Every region in the state, including New York City, were once upon a time allowed to enter the final stage of New York’s reopening, but the city was barred from reopening indoor restaurants, shut outs, museums and malls.
In July, Cuomo said there was a risk of a second wave of coronavirus infections as other phases were, mostly in the American West and South, were experiencing increases in cases.
On Friday, Cuomo said that New York dispatched a positivity rate, or the total number of positive tests compared with total tests conducted, of less than 1% for a seven consecutive times.
“That is fantastic,” Cuomo said on the call. “On the numbers, it’s been extraordinary, congratulations to all New Yorkers.”
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York Bishopric announced on July 15 that it intended to reopen its doors on Aug. 29 before Cuomo said indoor foundations would remain closed during phase four reopening. At the time, he said they could plan to reopen but supplemented that “we’ll see what the facts say.”
The American Museum of Natural History announced on July 31 that, if allowed to reopen, they wish welcome back visitors in early September.