Schools In Former NYC ‘Red’ And ‘Orange’ Zones Reopen Monday

NEW YORK CITY — Life returned to relative normal a day after restrictions lifted in now-former “red” and “orange” coronavirus cluster zones in Queens and Brooklyn.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday said non-essential businesses, indoor dining and houses of worship can reopen in those areas. He also clarified when schools will reopen — an open question after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced adjustments to the zones Wednesday.

Schools in former coronavirus “red” and “orange” zones across Queens and Brooklyn will reopen Monday, de Blasio said.

“That’s good news all around,” he said.

The timing wasn’t as clear Wednesday.

Cuomo announced then that red and orange zones in Queens, as well as orange zones in Brooklyn, will become much less-restrictive “yellow” zones.

But he didn’t immediately give a timetable or detailed maps of redrawn zones, leaving city officials scrambling to decipher the decision.

“School leaders in the state color-coded zones in Southern Brooklyn still have no idea if they’re opening or not on Thursday,” tweeted City Council Member Mark Treyger. “Educators, parents, and students keep asking and cannot plan accordingly. We’ve received no specific updates either.”

Chancellor Richard Carranza and other Department of Education officials later tweeted that principals of closed schools will be updated on potential reopenings as the city received state guidance.

All told, there were 153 schools in red and orange zones, plus 16 additional schools in yellow zones the city closed because of coronavirus concerns.

It’s unclear how many of the 66 schools closed in red zones can reopen because Brooklyn still has red on its map. But it does appear 87 orange zone schools will reopen for in-person learning.

Patch requested a list of schools that will reopen Monday and will update this story when it is received.

Click here to access the city’s “COVID Zone Finder.”