- Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced that New York state's stay-at-home order would be extended until June 13.
- In an executive order, Cuomo said the "New York State on PAUSE" policy, put in place in March, would continue. The statewide restrictions had been set to expire Friday.
- Cuomo said in a tweet that some regions had met his criteria and could begin to reopen Friday.
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced that New York state's stay-at-home order would be extended until June 13.
In an executive order on Thursday, Cuomo said the state would continue the "New York State on PAUSE" policy, which was put in place in March in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The statewide shutdown was set to expire Friday.
"Both travel-related cases and community contact transmission of COVID-19 have been documented in New York State and are expected to continue," the order says.
"All enforcement mechanisms by state or local governments shall continue to be in full force and effect until June 13, 2020, unless later extended or amended by a future Executive Order," he added.
On Wednesday, however, Cuomo said four New York regions met his criteria to begin lifting lockdowns. In his order Thursday, he said certain regions that met public-health and safety metrics would be eligible for reopening.
"The Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, the North Country, and Central NY are ready to begin Phase 1 of reopening tomorrow," Cuomo said in a tweet on Thursday. "The others can be UN-PAUSED the moment they hit their benchmarks."
New York has been the state hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. As of Thursday evening, the state had confirmed more than 343,000 cases and more than 27,000 deaths.
As part of the New York State on PAUSE policy, all businesses deemed nonessential have been closed, and nonessential gatherings have been canceled. The policy also states that people must stay at least 6 feet apart from one another in public and should limit outdoor activity.
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