Coronavirus: All NYers Can Get Tested; NYC Punts Indoor Dining

NEW YORK, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said all New Yorkers can now get tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the state pumped the brakes on resuming indoor dining in New York City.

Cuomo noted the indefinite postponement of indoor dining is an "NYC-only modification" of phase 3 of the New York Forward reopening plan for businesses. It will not apply to other regions. The governor said indoor dining can be dangerous due to how the coronavirus circulates through the air.

"Frankly, it’s a problem that’s most pronounced in New York City," he said.

Indoor dining in NYC will be postponed until the facts change and it is safe and prudent.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 1, 2020

The action is due to a lack of compliance in the city as well as lack of enforcement compliance by local governments and a spike in infections from other states, Cuomo said.

The state plans to create its own enforcement department to supplement local enforcement efforts, Cuomo said, noting he does not have the resources to help all 500 police departments across the state.

The news comes as the state continued to see low coronavirus infection numbers and the Capital Region began phase 4 of reopening businesses. Hospitalizations fell to 879 on Tuesday, and the number of people who died of the disease fell to 11, including eight in hospitals and three in nursing homes.

New York City and Long Island saw their respective infection rates remain steady at 1.1 percent Tuesday, while the Hudson Valley ticked down to 0.8 percent.

Cuomo said New York has more than 750 testing sites statewide and that many are below capacity. He encouraged all New Yorkers to get tested.

State health officials suggest New Yorkers call their testing site or health care provider before getting a test. State-operated sites will not charge for the tests, however those operated by local governments, private companies — including pharmacies and medical practices or not-for-profit organizations — may do so.