In NYC, and, to a lesser extent, other parts of southern New York State, a relatively mild resurgence in new cases has prompted political leaders to reimpose restrictions on businesses.
On Sunday, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed that the city will close schools (just days after they re-opened on their staggered schedule following 2 prior delays) once again, and businesses in the hard-hit COVID-19 "hot spots" cropping up around the city.
“Today, unfortunately, is not a day for celebration,” Mayor de Blasio said. "Today is a more difficult day," though to be fair, that could describe any day in the de Blasio administration.
The mayor's plan, which must still be approved by Gov Andrew Cuomo, the mayor's political archrival, marks the first major reversal in the city's reopening plan since the outbreak began, according to the NYT.
Nine ZIP codes include portions of Far Rockaway, Borough Park, Midwood, Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Sheepshead Bay and Kew Gardens are being targeted by the order. The city is also closely watching 11 additional ZIP codes that de Blasio said were a "real concern."
In the 9 affected neighborhoods, indoor dining - which it only just re-started last month - will be curtailed, along with outdoor. Schools, both public and private, will also be shuttered. Since many of the neighborhoods include ultraorthodox Jewish populations, the rule will apply to private Yeshivas, where Jewish students are educated. De Blasio said he will "rewind" the reopening of schools in the zip codes now that all 9 zip codes affected have seen their 7-day positivity rate climb back above 3%.
De Blasio's plan comes as new cases in NY retreated back below 1,500 on Sunday, according to a tweet from Gov. Cuomo, who also announced Sunday that the state would take over supervision of 20 'hot spots' around the state, including many in NYC. Cuomo announced his plan roughly an hour before de Blasio announced his.
"When the state does enforcement, we do enforcement," Cuomo said. Notably, nothing about Cuomo's plan conflicts with de Blasio's, which is expected to be approved by the state.
Cuomo hinted at plans to intensify social distancing and mask-wearing enforcement in 'hot spots' yesterday.
Most of the hot spots are in New York City, in Brooklyn and Queens, but also counties including Hudson and Orange. Cuomo said the Orthodox Jewish communities in many of these hot spots have been cooperating with efforts to lower the numbers. Across the 20 spots, the aggregate positive test rate is 4.8%, he said. Minus those areas, the state's overall rate falls to 0.9%, in line with the recent overall low trend in New York. Outbreaks in these "hotspots" are driving infection rates to their highest levels since NY's reopening.
The return to restrictions could be the kiss of death for more restaurants and small businesses in those areas, which have been struggling to hold on. It also offers a preview of how President Biden might run things until a vaccine is widely available.
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