Gov. Andrew Cuomo demanded on Sunday that the NYPD would do more to enforce social distance rules – as he announced that Queens bars and restaurants had received most of the violations a day earlier.
State police and the State Liquor Authority “continue to try to fill the vacuum left by local enforcement” in some parts of the state, he told reporters.
Authorities issued 26 violations to locals a day earlier for breaking coronavirus rules, including 16 in Queens, one in the Bronx, two in Brooklyn, five in Manhattan and two in Nassau County.
“Come on Queens,” said the governor, adding, “We must step up and help the NYPD in New York City.”
“We need local governments across the board to do their job as well.”
However, Cuomo said the state had recorded its lowest rate of positive testing for coronavirus over a period of one day since the start of the pandemic.
The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 0.078 percent Saturday, out of 65,812 people tested, Cuomo said – lower than the 1 percent round New York had expected.
“It’s great news,” the mayor said. “Really incredible performance by New Yorkers.”
The infection rate is well below the 5 percent threshold recommended by the World Health Organization for general reopening and adoption by the state.
The state also recorded seven deaths recorded Saturday, bringing the Empire State’s death toll to 25,202.
Cuomo said 548 people in the entire hospital are hospitalized, with 131 in intensive care, “the lowest number we have in ICU since we started,” in March.
Adapting to the opening of schools, Cuomo reiterated guidelines he issued on Friday, stating that all districts should set dates for three to five virtual interviews with parents by August 21 and also have one separate consultation with teachers only.
“If the teachers do not agree to come back, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to operate school,” the mayor said.
“If the parents do not agree to send their children to school, I do not know how you would have school without students.”
The Department of Education is going through reopening of plans for the state’s 700 districts, including an additional plan submitted by New York City, and will have a status update on Monday, Cuomo said.
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