NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Central New York, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier, and Finger Lakes regions are on track to enter phase four of their reopening from the COVID-19 shutdown on Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday.
That will allow the restart of low-risk indoor and outdoor arts and entertainment (such as museums and zoos), film and TV production, higher education, and professional sports without fans.
But gyms, malls, and movie theaters notably will not be allowed to reopen in phase four, at least for now. More time is needed to study those facilities, including the role of air-conditioning systems in possibly recirculating the virus, per the governor.
Cuomo also announced that social gatherings of up to 50 people will be allowed and indoor religious gatherings will be permitted at up to 33 percent of the indoor site’s capacity in the phase four regions.
New York State issued guidance for phase four, available here.