New York is so close to lifting most remaining Covid-19 restrictions as the state’s vaccination rate has almost hit 70 percent, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday.
The Empire State gave 69.9 percent of New Yorkers at least one shot as of Monday — a tenth of a percent away from reaching the threshold that Cuomo previously pledged to lift coronavirus guidelines for most businesses.
“We are moving forward to our reimagined, post-Covid future at an incredible pace. A year ago, it was unfathomable to think we’d be at this point today,” Cuomo said in a statement on June 14.
More than 20 million total doses have been administered statewide including 11.1 million people who got at least one dose and 9.8 million who are fully vaccinated, according to the governor’s office.
Last week, the governor said that he would make restrictions optional like mask requirements and capacity limits for most businesses once the state passes the 70% benchmark. To mark the occasion, the Empire State Building and other New York state landmarks will light up in gold and blue.
The exceptions where the limits will remain mandatory are large-scale event venues, schools, public transit, shelters, jails, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings.
Other businesses will still be able to choose to keep restrictions in place as long as they don’t violate state and federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Related Story: NY Launches Free College Raffle For Kids Who Get Vaccinated
This story first appeared on amNY.com.
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