New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a series of new restrictions targeting restaurants, bars, and gyms in response to the increasing coronavirus test positivity rate.
“We’re seeing a global COVID surge, and New York is a ship on the COVID tide,” Cuomo said. “Today, we’ve seen the country set a new record in terms of COVID cases. It is really getting much, much worse by the day.”
Starting Friday night, any establishment with a New York state liquor license, including bars and restaurants, must close at 10 p.m. Restaurants can do food-only curbside pick-up after. Gyms must also close at 10 p.m.
Cuomo also said private residential gatherings will be capped at 10, citing house parties as superspreader events.
The state test positivity rate has gradually ticked up each week since early September. Currently, about 2.2% of all coronavirus tests in New York are yielding positive results, the highest positivity rate since June 2.
“COVID is getting worse by the day,” Cuomo said. “All around the country. The fall surge is here.”
Meanwhile, the coronavirus test positivity rate in New York City has also risen to a level not seen since the first wave in New York tapered off in June. On Tuesday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the recent uptick in the coronavirus test positivity rate a “warning sign” that the former hot spot could experience a deadly second wave.
