Amid concerns about a coronavirus resurgence, New York City will enter a limited fourth phase of reopening on Monday, allowing some art and entertainment venues like zoos and botanical gardens to open for outdoor activities only, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday.
But stringent limits will remain on indoor activities: Gyms, malls and movie theaters are expected to remain shuttered, and indoor dining will still not be allowed.
“We’ve got to strike a balance, and we’ve got time to look at the evidence,” the mayor said at a news conference. “Watch what’s happening around the country, watch what’s happening here in the city and make further decisions on some of these pieces, and we will do that very carefully with the State of New York.”
Officials are increasingly concerned about the possibility that visitors from other states will spread the virus in New York, once the epicenter of the pandemic. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has put in place an executive order that requires travelers from 22 states with high infection rates to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the state.
Mr. Cuomo has also become increasingly concerned about reports of New Yorkers, especially young people, letting their guard down and eschewing social-distancing and mask-wearing measures.
On Thursday, the governor announced new regulations meant to crack down on outdoor drinking and mingling outside bars and restaurants. The new rules ban establishments from selling alcohol to customers who do not also buy food.
Concerned about the virus’s spreading more rapidly in dense and crowded New York City, Mr. Cuomo cautioned on Thursday that Phase 4 of reopening would not include “any additional indoor activity.”
“We are still seeing issues, not just in the bars and restaurants, but all across the country, you see, as these inside, interior spaces, air-conditioned spaces where the virus is tending to spread,” he said. “So, we’re going to take that precaution in New York City.”
New York City is the last part of the state to enter the final phase of reopening, which is supposed to permit groups of up to 50 people and indoor religious gatherings to operate at one-third of maximum capacity. Restrictions will be eased to allow the resumption of outdoor film production and professional sports without audiences.
State and city officials were still working on the final details of the plan, which were expected to be announced formally later on Friday.
New York City has recovered some semblance of normalcy, even as small businesses and restaurants have struggled to operate on slim margins since the city’s broad shutdown in mid-March.
Offices, hair salons, barbershops and construction sites have all opened, albeit with restrictions on capacity, strict cleaning requirements and mandatory social distancing. And outdoor dining is thriving, with bars and restaurants serving customers at tables on sidewalks and closed streets.
More than 8,600 restaurants have set up outdoor dining operations, Mr. de Blasio said. The city will close off an additional 40 blocks to allow even more dining capacity, the mayor said, and extend the use of sidewalks and streets for outdoor dining through Oct. 31.
“A lot of people thought that ‘How could this place, this crowded, energetic place, possibly do shelter in place or social distancing or face coverings?’” Mr. de Blasio said. “Well, you proved to the world it could be done the right way, and that’s why we are now on the verge of Phase 4.”
Troy Closson contributed reporting.
