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NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo Officially Announces June 8th Reopening Of Economy

NEW YORK
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

New York, which has been closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, can expect to begin a “phase one” reopening on June 8, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“We know where the hot spots are in the city, we want to focus on them next week, be ready to open,” Cuomo said during a news conference on Friday. “We’re on track to open on June 8, which is one week from Monday.” He said that the decision to reopen was made after being satisfied with the city meeting goals set for hospital rates and testing.

This may be good news for many employees as Gov Cuomo says, the phase one reopening in New York City should bring about 400,000 employees back to work.

Though Gov. Cuomo did warn against too much excitement about reopening, saying, “this is not ‘happy days again, this is over.’ We have to be smart.”

“Remember that reopening does not mean we’re going back to the way things were. Life is not about going back nobody goes back, we go forward,” he said.

New York state is the hardest-hit region in the U.S. COVID-19 has infected more than 366,000 people across the state, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

He also released guidance for barbershops and salons. They will be required to a 50% maximum capacity and employees interacting with customers will need to be tested at least once every two weeks, according to Gov.