Policy

New Jersey set to open hair salons, in-store retail, and outdoor dining this month

Photo of Asbury Park commercial district by Acroterion via Wikimedia Commons

June 2, 2020

New Jersey set to open hair salons, in-store retail, and outdoor dining this month

In his press conference yesterday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that his state was looking to enter stage two of its reopening on Monday, June 15. On this date, outdoor dining and limited in-store retail would begin, with hair salons and barbershops following on the 22nd and youth summer programs in early July. This second stage would also phase in museums and libraries, as well as limited capacity at gyms and in-person government services such as motor vehicles.
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Policy

NYC will have 8 p.m. curfew until Sunday with no traffic south of 96th Street

Photo of a Black Lives Matter demonstration in 2016 by Nicole Baster on Unsplash

June 2, 2020

NYC will have 8 p.m. curfew until Sunday with no traffic south of 96th Street

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Bill de Blasio extended the citywide curfew to Sunday and said it will start three hours earlier at 8 p.m. following a night of looting. The mayor and Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday jointly announced an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and an increase of police enforcement following a weekend of protests. The NYPD announced that after 8 p.m. the only vehicles allowed south of 96th Street in Manhattan will be essential workers, buses, and delivery trucks. Likewise, Citi Bike has been required to shut down service for the duration of the curfew.
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Policy

New York adds 10 new testing sites in city’s COVID-19 ‘hot spots’

Photo by Payton Chung on Flickr

June 1, 2020

New York adds 10 new testing sites in city’s COVID-19 ‘hot spots’

By Devin Gannon

As New York City prepares to enter phase one of reopening next week, officials are targeting areas where the coronavirus continues to spread. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday announced that the state will open 10 new COVID-19 testing sites in zip codes considered 'hot spots,' which includes neighborhoods in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. The 10 ZIP codes, which consist of predominantly low income and minority communities, have seen higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and death caused by the virus.
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Policy

Photo by Daniel Lee on Unsplash

May 29, 2020

NYC is on track to start reopening week of June 8

By Devin Gannon

New York City is gearing up to begin the reopening process the week of June 8, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday. During a press briefing, the governor said the city should be able to join the state's nine other regions in reopening phase one businesses, which includes all construction, manufacturing, and some retail stores. "I am proud of the way New York is figuring it out," Cuomo said.
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Policy

As NYC prepares to reopen, questions about public transit remain

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

May 29, 2020

As NYC prepares to reopen, questions about public transit remain

By Devin Gannon

New York City will likely begin the reopening process early next month, with as many as 400,000 employees expected to return to work during this first phase, Mayor Bill de Blasio said this week. While the mayor on Thursday released guidelines for phase one businesses to safely reopen without a resurgence of the coronavirus, no plan has been issued from City Hall on how employees returning to the workforce will commute there safely.
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9 of 10 New York regions have met reopening metrics, NYC still waiting

Screenshot from the State’s new Regional Monitoring Dashboard as of 5/28/20

May 28, 2020

9 of 10 New York regions have met reopening metrics, NYC still waiting

After the New York PAUSE order was put into effect on March 22, all but one of the state's 10 regions have met the metrics to start phase one of reopening since it expired on Friday, May 15. As outlined on an interactive dashboard that monitors regional status, New York City is the only region not to have hit this benchmark. The city has not reached a 30 percent threshold of the share of total hospital beds available and has not gotten its contact tracing program up to the required level. As 6sqft reported, phase one allows construction, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and select retail that can offer curbside pickup to reopen.
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Policy

Hoboken will allow gyms to use parks and fields for outdoor workout classes

A yoga class at Pier A from a previous Fitness in the Park class

May 28, 2020

Hoboken will allow gyms to use parks and fields for outdoor workout classes

Hoboken, New Jersey Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla signed an executive order yesterday that permits fitness clubs to "utilize certain City fields and parks in order to facilitate safe, socially distanced outdoor workouts." Because of reopening measures outlined by Governor Murphy that will reduce capacity at indoor gyms and fitness facilities, Mayor Bhalla is encouraging owners of such businesses licensed in Hoboken to apply to host outdoor classes of up to 15 people with "strict social distancing guidelines of at least six feet between each participant at all times." With the permission of property owners, gyms can also hold outdoor classes in parking lots.
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NYC Council will introduce bill that requires open street space be used for outdoor dining

Photo by almapapi on Pixabay

May 28, 2020

NYC Council will introduce bill that requires open street space be used for outdoor dining

By Devin Gannon

The New York City Council is set to introduce legislation on Thursday that requires the city to use open space for outdoor dining during the coronavirus pandemic. Restaurants and bars have now been closed for in-person service for over two months because of the state's "pause" order that shuttered all nonessential businesses. And while takeout and delivery options remain available, the restaurant industry has taken a tremendous hit, with many longtime restaurants forced to close permanently.
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With Long Island and Hudson Valley cleared to reopen, MTA boosts train service

Photo by Phillip Capper via Wikimedia

May 27, 2020

With Long Island and Hudson Valley cleared to reopen, MTA boosts train service

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is boosting service on the Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North as two more New York regions are officially cleared to start reopening. The Hudson Vallery region and Long Island have met the state's metrics to begin reopening phase one businesses, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said this week. Starting Wednesday, the MTA will increase capacity by 26 percent on Metro-North with 18 additional trains during peak service, as well as add 105 Long Island Railroad cars to meet restored demand for service.
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Policy

Cuomo to fast-track NYC infrastructure projects, including overhauls of Penn Station & LaGuardia

Rendering of a new entrance on 8th Avenue to Penn Station, part of the Empire Station Complex via Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office

May 26, 2020

Cuomo to fast-track NYC infrastructure projects, including overhauls of Penn Station & LaGuardia

By Devin Gannon

The state will focus on restarting New York City's economy by accelerating work on major infrastructure projects, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday. "There is no better time to build than right now," Cuomo said during a press briefing. "You need to create jobs and you need to renew and repair this country's economy and its infrastructure." The governor said the state will fast-track infrastructure projects like the renovation and rebuild of Penn Station and LaGuardia Airport.
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Popular Articles

Plan to build pedestrian plaza under the Brooklyn Bridge moves forward

Rendering courtesy of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

May 26, 2020

Plan to build pedestrian plaza under the Brooklyn Bridge moves forward

By Devin Gannon

Plans to build a public plaza under the Brooklyn Bridge that will connect the Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo sections of the waterfront park are moving forward. The Landmarks Preservation Commission last week approved designs from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates to transform a currently fenced-off lot into a two-acre civic space. The project is the final section of the park; construction began in 2008 and has been opening in phases over the last decade.
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Policy

Watch the winner of New York’s mask-awareness video competition

Photo by Julian Wan on Unsplash

May 26, 2020

Watch the winner of New York’s mask-awareness video competition

After a photo of a jam-packed Hudson River Park filled with non-mask-wearers went viral earlier this month, Governor Cuomo launched a new competition that asked New Yorkers to submit videos that show why it is so important to wear a mask in public. After receiving more than 600 submissions, the state narrowed it down to five finalists last week. And today, after 186,117 votes were counted, the winning video was announced, titled "We <3 New York."
Watch the winner and the runners up here

Policy

NYC Council urges mayor to open city beaches for swimming

Photo of Rockaway Beach via Dan DeLuca on Flickr

May 26, 2020

NYC Council urges mayor to open city beaches for swimming

By Devin Gannon

The New York City Council on Saturday urged Mayor Bill de Blasio to open the city beaches this summer safely amid the coronavirus pandemic, including allowing swimming. Currently, swimming is not permitted, but local residents are allowed to walk or sit on the beach. A number of council members this weekend released 10-point beach reopening guidelines, which include limited capacity, social distancing markers, mask requirements, and increasing transit options to beach communities.
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Policy

To-go booze in New York could be here to stay

Photo: Louise Ma / WNYC via Flickr Creative Commmons

May 22, 2020

To-go booze in New York could be here to stay

By Devin Gannon

When the state closed all restaurants and bars in March except for takeout service, the New York State Liquor Authority legalized to-go alcoholic beverages, including wine and liquor, for the first time. A state official wants to make the temporary law change permanent. State Sen. Brad Hoylman on Thursday introduced legislation that would let bars and restaurants continue to serve wine, beer, and cocktails for take-out and delivery for at least two years after the state of emergency ends.
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Antibody testing shows coronavirus is still spreading in NYC’s minority communities

Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

May 20, 2020

Antibody testing shows coronavirus is still spreading in NYC’s minority communities

By Devin Gannon

The coronavirus continues to spread in lower-income communities and communities of color in New York City, according to antibody test results released by the state on Wednesday. New York earlier this month partnered with Northwell Health and city churches to test residents of low-income neighborhoods, with 8,000 antibody tests conducted to date. According to preliminary data from those tests, 27 percent tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, compared to the city's overall antibody rate of 19.9 percent.
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Policy

MTA launches UV light pilot program to kill COVID-19 on NYC subways and buses

Demonstration of UV disinfection technology at Corona Maintenace Facility; Photo Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

May 20, 2020

MTA launches UV light pilot program to kill COVID-19 on NYC subways and buses

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will use ultraviolet light to remove the coronavirus from its subway and bus system, officials announced on Tuesday. For phase one of the $1 million pilot program, the agency will deploy 230 UV light lamps next week on some trains, buses, and MTA facilities. The devices will be used in cars during overnight station closures and at maintenance yards in Corona, Coney Island, Jamaica, and Pelham. If the first phase of the pilot proves successful, the program will expand to Long Island Railroad and Metro-North trains.
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Majority of NYC workers in hard-hit retail, restaurant industry live in low-income neighborhoods: report

Photo by Emilie Farris on Unsplash

May 20, 2020

Majority of NYC workers in hard-hit retail, restaurant industry live in low-income neighborhoods: report

By Devin Gannon

Nearly every industry in New York City taken a hit financially as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. But the businesses forced to close their doors, or switch to delivery only, because of the state's"pause" order, including restaurants, retail, hotels, and personal care services, have been especially affected by the current crisis. According to a new report from the think tank Center for an Urban Future, the workers from these hard-hit sectors, where layoffs have been most common, also live in the city's low-income neighborhoods. And while more than half of the jobs in these industries are located in Manhattan, 81 percent of the workers live in the outer boroughs.
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Policy

See the observation deck proposed for the Chrysler Building

Proposed east-west view; Rendering by Gensler/ RFR Realty, courtesy of Landmarks Preservation Commission

May 19, 2020

See the observation deck proposed for the Chrysler Building

By Devin Gannon

An observation deck will return to the Chrysler Building. During a Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing on Tuesday, Aby Rosen's RFR Realty, which bought the Art Deco landmark last year for $151 million, presented its proposal to revamp the skyscraper's 61st and 62nd floors to allow for public access. The Chrysler Building previously housed an observatory, which opened on the 71st floor in 1945 as the Celestial.
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NYC releases map with COVID deaths broken down by ZIP code

Screenshot of map courtesy of NYC Health Department

May 18, 2020

NYC releases map with COVID deaths broken down by ZIP code

By Devin Gannon

The city's health department on Monday released for the first time the coronavirus death rate by ZIP code. A table and interactive map reveal the death rate per 100,000 residents in each neighborhood, along with the number of confirmed cases, case counts, death counts, and the percent of people who tested positive. The new information confirms earlier data that found a disparity in deaths caused by the virus among people of color and those who live in low-income neighborhoods.
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Policy

NYC politicians call for outdoor restaurant seating on sidewalks, streets, and parking spots

Outdoor seating in the West Village, photo by cultivar413 via Flickr cc

May 18, 2020

NYC politicians call for outdoor restaurant seating on sidewalks, streets, and parking spots

There's still a way to go before restaurants in New York City can fully reopen (they'll be in phase three of the plan), but the struggling industry is hoping that the city will help in the form of outdoor seating. As Eater first reported last month, restaurant owners are advocating for the Mayor to extend his current open streets from pedestrians to al fresco dining to allow for more social distancing. And now, local elected officials are joining the call, hoping that sidewalks, streets, and parking spots can be used for outdoor service starting this weekend. The call comes after crowds were spotted gathering on sidewalks and drinking since the city has allowed bars and restaurants to sell to-go drinks.
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MTA adds social distancing markers, considers reservation system for subway and bus

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

May 18, 2020

MTA adds social distancing markers, considers reservation system for subway and bus

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week launched a pilot program to keep commuters socially distanced on subway platforms. The transit authority installed markers on the floors of a few stations on the Upper East Side that encourage straphangers to remain six feet from others to stop the spread of the coronavirus. In addition to new signage, mask requirements, and a vigorous disinfection plan that involves an overnight shutdown of service, the MTA is also considering creating a reservation system for seats on the city's subways and buses to limit crowds.
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New York launches interactive map to find COVID testing sites near you

A screenshot of the map taken on 5.17.20

May 17, 2020

New York launches interactive map to find COVID testing sites near you

New York now has 700+ COVID testing sites across the state and is doing twice the amount of testing of the entire rest of the country. To make it easier for residents to get themselves tested, Governor Cuomo announced on Sunday the launch of a new interactive map that will show the testing sites closest to you. He also announced that the criteria to get tested has expanded to include those who would return to work in phase one.
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Policy

NYC will limit access to Central Park’s Sheep Meadow this weekend

Photo of Sheep Meadow on May 4, 2020 © 6sqft

May 15, 2020

NYC will limit access to Central Park’s Sheep Meadow this weekend

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday said police will limit access to parts of some parks, as well as deploy additional Parks Department officials to patrol city beaches this weekend, with temperatures expected to be in the 70s. The NYPD will restrict the number of people allowed to enter the Sheep Meadow lawn in Central Park to avoid overcrowding and curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. And police will again limit access to Piers 45 and 46 at Hudson River Park in the West Village and monitor crowds at Domino Park in Williamsburg for the second weekend in a row.
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Policy

New York joins New Jersey and Connecticut to open beaches for Memorial Day

Photo of Fire Island National Seashore by Pexels from Pixabay

May 15, 2020

New York joins New Jersey and Connecticut to open beaches for Memorial Day

During his press conference on Friday, Governor Cuomo announced that he'd be joining New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware in opening state beaches by Friday, May 22, ahead of Memorial Day Weekend. The four states agreed that they will mandate no more than 50 percent capacity, prohibit group activities and social gatherings, enforce social distancing measures and mask adherence when needed, and keep concessions closed.
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Policy

Jersey Shore beaches will open for Memorial Day Weekend

Photo of Asbury Park, NJ via Wikimedia Commons

May 14, 2020

Jersey Shore beaches will open for Memorial Day Weekend

By Devin Gannon

Beaches and boardwalks of the Jersey Shore will open in time for Memorial Day, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Thursday. Effective May 22, all public and private beaches and lakeside areas can open in the state, but with capacity limits and social distancing measures in place.
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