Camps, Amusement Parks, Indoor Family Entertainment To Open Soon

LONG ISLAND, NY — New businesses can plan to reopen soon as the state's coronavirus positivity rate continues to decline, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday.

As of March 26, indoor family entertainment centers can reopen at 25 percent capacity with face coverings, social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting, and temperature checks, Cuomo said; rides and attractions that cannot ensure social distancing must remain closed, he said.

Next, outdoor amusement parks will be able to reopen on April 9 at 33 percent capacity, also with face coverings, social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting, and tickets sold in advance, as well as staggered entry, Cuomo said.

Overnight summer camps are slated to reopen in June as long as the downward positivity rate continues with an eye on the new variants, Cuomo said. A testing protocol will be in place, Cuomo said.

Also, gyms, fitness centers, casinos, and billiard halls can now also join restaurants and bars in staying open until 11 p.m., Cuomo said.

Cuomo announced Friday that the statewide curfew for bars and restaurants would be extended from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. beginning Sunday. Cuomo said the decision was made based on the continued decline in coronavirus hospitalizations and the infection rate statewide.

Cuomo recently announced New York City restaurants can reopen for indoor dining at 25 percent capacity beginning Friday, Feb. 13.

Cuomo said arenas can soon open to 10 percent capacity with testing protocols and wedding receptions can kick off again March 15, with no more than 150 people in attendance and testing protocols in place.

Earlier this month, the 10 p.m curfew was lifted for 91 restaurants that filed a lawsuit against the state, according to a report in RochesterFirst.com.

Before the Super Bowl, some lawmakers called on Cuomo to lift the curfew before the big game, but he declined, citing concerns about people drinking without masks.

On Sunday, Cuomo said declining numbers were the reason for the extended curfews.

"Hospitalizations and the positivity rate continue to decline, and with the holiday surge now in our rear-view mirror, we must keep taking steps to further re-open the economy safely and responsibly," Cuomo said Sunday.

Cuomo signed an executive order allowing for the extended curfew for restaurants, bars, gyms and fitness centers, casinos, billiards halls — and any other location with a State Liquor Authority license. "As we move forward, we will continue to follow the science and data and take these kinds of steps to help us finally return to normal," he said.