Governor Cuomo announced new Covid-19 micro-cluster focus areas today that include the majority of Staten Island. The new designated “Yellow Zone,” or precautionary zone, covers most of Staten Island except parts of Travis, Great Kills, Mariners Harbor and Charleston. Scroll down to see the map indicating exactly where the yellow area is located.
New yellow zone restrictions will begin Friday, November 13, 2020 at 10pm. According to State Assemblyman Michael Reilly, the new mandates include:
- Houses of Worship: 50 percent capacity
- Mass Gatherings: 25 people maximum, indoor and outdoor
- Businesses: Open
- Dining: Indoor and outdoor dining, 4 person maximum per table
- Schools: Open with mandatory weekly testing of students and teachers/staff for in-person settings. The New York State Department of Health will establish a percentage of teachers and students/staff who need to be tested by Friday.
- Additionally the Governor announced that any establishments with a state liquor license, including bars and restaurants must close at 10pm statewide (all customers must be out by 10pm, curbside take-out can continue after 10pm).
- Gyms will close at 10pm Statewide as well. These new statewide rules will take effect on Friday at 10pm.
- Governor’s office also requesting no more than 10 at social gatherings at private residences.
In addition, the Archdiocese announced that Catholic elementary schools in the Staten Island region will transition to remote learning as of tomorrow, Thursday, November 12, for the foreseeable future.
Per the governor’s office, there are several reasons for the yellow zone designation. Over the past ten days, parts of Staten Island have had 7-day average positivity rates above 2.5 percent, and cases per 100,000 and new daily hospital admissions have increased.
The New York State positivity rate is currently at 2.93 Percent and 21 new Covid-19 deaths were reported in the state yesterday (November 10, 2020).
“The scientists all said for months we would see a national and global surge in the fall and winter – and right now, the national surge keeps getting worse,” Governor Cuomo said. “The trajectory is going up, and we have learned how to stay ahead of COVID. When we see a small increase, we attack it – that is our strategy as cases increase all around us. We can manage this challenge as long as we have individual discipline and government enforcement. Local governments must enforce the public health law – period. And we all need to be smart – wear a mask, wash your hands, socially distance, and stay New York Tough.”
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