Video: "Safety and health first, always," says New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on July 17, 2020, while announcing that the city eases into phase four of reopening on July 20, 2020 as scheduled, but indoor limits remain. (Xinhua)
"That is a hallmark for us. Every region of the state will now be in Phase Four," says New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo.
NEW YORK, July 17 (Xinhua) -- New York City will move into phase four of reopening on Monday as scheduled, without resuming additional indoor activities, city and state officials confirmed on Friday.
In phase four, lower risk outdoor arts and entertainment activities can resume, including television and film production. Botanical gardens and zoos can reopen at 33 percent capacity, and professional sports can play without fans, according to New York state's phased reopening plan.
Malls and museums, which are allowed to reopen in other regions of the state in phase four, will remain shut in New York City due to officials' concerns about the heightened risk of infection indoors that occurred in many other states.
"New York City will enter Phase Four on Monday. That is a hallmark for us. Every region of the state will now be in Phase Four," said New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday.
"So we are all in the final phase of reopening. And that's great. Every region has made it through the four phases without having to close. And the numbers are consistent through all phases of reopening," he added.
People walk in a park in Brooklyn Borough of New York, the United States, on July 16, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
Earlier this week, Cuomo announced new, data-driven guidance on reopening schools in phase four, which mandates that schools can reopen only when the region's daily infection rate remains below 5 percent, using a 14-day average.
Schools will close if the regional infection rate rises above 9 percent, using a seven-day average, after Aug. 1, said the governor.
As the resumption of indoor dining has been postponed indefinitely in New York City, the city launched the Open Restaurants program earlier this month. On Friday, Mayor Bill de Blasio extended the program until the end of October.
Some 9,000 restaurants citywide have participated in the program serving customers in outdoor spaces in car-free streets during weekends.
The National Park Service announced last week that Liberty Island where the Statue of Liberty is located would reopen as the city enters phase four.
A woman walks in a park in Brooklyn Borough of New York, the United States, on July 16, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
The outdoor spaces on Liberty Island will be open to the public, but the interior of the statue and the museum will stay closed, according to the state government.
The Empire State Building Observatory is also set to reopen on Monday, and capacity will be limited to 60 percent on the 86th and 102nd floors, according to the Empire State Realty Trust.
As dozens of states in the country are experiencing a resurgence in COVID-19 infections, New York's infection rate remains low at 0.99 percent, according to the governor.
However, the governor on Friday urged New Yorkers to stay on high alert as the virus is still spreading across the country and it will eventually have an effect on New York.
"We're trying everything we can ... but the virus will still get through the border, the only question is to what percent," he said. "And that's what we're looking at -- the inevitability of a second wave, the only question is how hard this hits." ■
