NY Coronavirus Restrictions Could Be Lifted This Week, Cuomo Says

NEW YORK CITY — Restrictions could lift this week in certain coronavirus "microcluster zones" as the state moves past a post-holidays spike in cases, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

Cuomo on Monday outlined a wave of recent good news on COVID-19 — the state's positivity is down, as are hospitalizations, and its transmission rate is back to a safe level.

The valve on the state's economy can open back up, he said.

"I believe we'll have announcements on Wednesday," he said.

But reopening indoor dining in New York City is unlikely to be on the table. Cuomo said officials are not "at this point" considering bringing it back.

Instead, restrictions could lift or be adjusted in the state's color-coded "microcluster" zones. Parts of all five boroughs remain covered by "yellow" and "orange" zones which, among other restrictions, put strict capacity limits on outdoor dining, houses of worship and other gatherings.

Cuomo said the state appeared to crest a wave of post-holidays COVID-19 cases, making at least a modest reopening possible.

The state's overall coronavirus positivity dropped to 5.85 percent as of Monday after hitting 7.94 percent on Jan. 4, Cuomo said. He also the virus's Rt rate — a measurement of how effectively the virus is spreading — is back below a safe level.

"Ideally, you want to be under 1.0 and that’s where we are right now, but it’s been a bumpy ride to get here,” he said.

But there remain some regions of concern in and around New York City, Cuomo said.

The Bronx — where the positivity rate is 7.24 percent, as measured by the state — is an "issue," as is Long Island, he said.