Aug 17, 2020
New York State's infection rate has been below 1 percent positive for ten consecutive days and accordingly, the State will permit local elected officials to allow gyms in their locality to reopen. Starting August 24th, gyms and fitness centers can reopen at 33 percent capacity while enforcing rigorous safety protocols, including requiring masks be worn at all times. Gym owners and all clients must take health guidelines seriously, or gym reopening can be rolled back. Local health departments are required to strictly enforce the state guidelines to ensure gyms and fitness centers reopen safely and protect the public health. Read New York's full guidance on gym reopening here.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. So far, PSAs from New York's Mask Up America campaign have aired on over 23,000 TV spots on stations across the country, and been watched over 10 million times. The latest PSA in the series features the voice of Paul Rudd encouraging Americans to wear a mask so we can all return to doing the things we love. Watch it here.
2. New York State has now tested over 7 million people. New York continues to lead the nation in testing and any New Yorker can get a test. Find a testing site near you.
3. The total number of COVID hospitalizations remains low. Yesterday, there were 534 total hospitalizations. Of the 56,891 tests reported yesterday, 408, or 0.71%, were positive—the lowest positive infection rate since June. Sadly, we lost 6 New Yorkers to the virus.
4. The state has suspended liquor licenses for 16 additional bars in New York State. After finding egregious violations of pandemic-related Executive Orders, 148 liquor licenses so far have been suspended during the Coronavirus pandemic. I remind all New Yorkers that outdoor dining does not mean outdoor drinking or partying. We are still in the middle of a pandemic.
5. If you are in a dangerous domestic situation, New York State will help you find safe shelter. You aren't trapped because of COVID. If there is an issue where you face imminent harm, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you need help, you can call the State's Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906, or text 844-997-2121.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Officially declared extinct in the United Kingdom in 1979, the Large Blue Butterfly is now repopulating its historic habitat in Southern England. Through the world's largest insect conservation program, the butterflies' return show promising signs of the region's biodiversity strength, which will greatly affect the global environment in a positive way.
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