Cuomo: 'Major reopening' of New York to begin May 19
New York State will lift most capacity restrictions for businesses and public places on May 19, though the state will maintain a 6-foot social distancing requirement, with exceptions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.
Restaurants, offices, retail stores, gyms, hair salons, amusements and family entertainment locations will see an easing of pandemic-related capacity limits, the governor said during a news conference.
“It’s another substantial step to getting us back to normal," said Bill Lia, chairman of the New York State Fitness Alliance, which represents large and small fitness and studio owners across the state.
The state will keep a 6-foot social distancing requirement, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and capacity limits must incorporate that rule, the governor said.
Read more: https://buffalonews.com/news/local/state-and-regional/cuomo-major-reopening-of-new-york-to-begin-may-19/article_b86c8b48-ac27-11eb-b1df-f3d6c3613c80.html
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I only go places that I really need to go to - like for groceries or prescriptions or the ATM at the bank - and here in New York masks are required at all businesses/stores, and the policy is definitely enforced. I can't imagine life otherwise.
As for vaccinations, today's local paper said there have been a decrease in covid cases (and they report every single one) because of the vaccine, but now they're seeing an increase in cases among teens and younger kids (who also wear masks, I've seen the little ones getting off the school bus). 
