New York subway services to resume 24-hour operations, says Gov. Andrew Cuomo

The New York subway, which had been under restricted running time, will be permitted to go back to its 24-hour operations as the state’s Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a flurry of eased restrictions on Monday. 

In addition to the state’s train network, multiple businesses which require to be in a public sphere will be allowed to function with eased restrictions after May 19.

Businesses will be allowed to welcome as many people as they want to provide six feet of social distancing is maintained, as recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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“It’s fully open, subject to six feet,” Cuomo told reporters. The six-feet rule does not apply if all customers provide proof of vaccination or a negative test, reported AFP.

“All the arrows are pointing in the right direction,” he added, pointing to declining COVID-19 positivity rates and hospitalisations, which are at their lowest since November, and rising vaccination levels.

This time last year, the state of New York was considered to be a COVID-19 hotspot in the United States as the whole country struggled with the virus. 

Outdoor gathering limits will double from 250 to 500 people, while 250 people will be able to get together indoors, up from 100.

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Indoor event venues will be able to operate at 30% capacity, up from 10% currently, while outdoor sports stadia will operate at 33%, reported AFP. 

Cuomo said underground train services in New York will resume around the clock on May 17.

The announcement was made along with the tri-state area of New York, which included Connecticut and New Jersey, as New York’s Mayor Bill de Blasio emphasised his hopes for completely reopening the state.