You are reading

De Blasio Sets Goal for New York City to “Fully Reopen” on July 1

Mayor Bill de Blasio (Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)

April 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin

New York City plans to “fully reopen” on July 1, more than a year after the pandemic halted life in the city that never sleeps.

“It’s time to set a goal for a full reopening in New York City and that goal is July 1,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday morning. “We are ready to bring New York City back.”

Beginning July 1, businesses such as restaurants, bars, gyms, hair salons, stores, theaters, museums and more will be permitted to operate at 100 percent capacity, de Blasio said.

The July 1 date, however, must be sanctioned by the state. Governor Andrew Cuomo will need to sign off on any rollback of COVID-19 restrictions such as capacity limits.

Cuomo said he hopes the city’s reopening date will be sooner than July, but didn’t give a specific date at a subsequent press conference Thursday.

De Blasio said the decline in coronavirus case numbers shows that the city can fully reopen soon—and that the city is becoming safer as more New Yorkers get vaccinated.

Six million doses of the vaccine have been administered across the city and the latest COVID-19 positivity rate was 3.18 percent — well below the city’s 5 percent warning marker. The positivity rate, number of new cases and hospital admissions have all been steadily declining.

Based on this data, city health experts believe that July 1 is a reasonable date for a full reopening.

“We now can set this goal because we’ve been moving forward constantly,” de Blasio said. “More and more vaccinations; fewer and fewer infections, thank god. We got keep doing that.”

He encouraged people who had yet to be vaccinated to go out and do so. New Yorkers can schedule a vaccine appointment at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC. Walk-in vaccinations are also available at all city- and state-run sites.

De Blasio said New Yorkers can finally see the “light at the end of the tunnel.”

He added that this summer will welcome an awakening of New York City for both residents and tourists.

“This is going to be the summer of New York City,” he said. “We’re all going to get to enjoy this city again and people are going to flock here from all over the country to be a part of this amazing moment in New York City.”

De Blasio said he’d also like to see the subway system operating 24/7 again by July 1. New York State, which controls the MTA, will decide when subways — which currently end service from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. for disinfecting — will resume overnight operation.

The mayor said he is excited beyond words to reopen New York City after more than a year of overwhelming suffering and loss. The city at one point was the national epicenter of the pandemic and the virus has killed more than 32,400 residents.

He thanked New Yorkers for following mask and social distancing rules for so long. He said he was grateful that so many people have rolled up their sleeves to get the COVID-19 shot.

“Everyday New Yorkers, what you have done, is the reason I can make this announcement today.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Queens Council Members celebrate $2.5 million in funding for AAPI curriculum

Jul. 3, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Queens Council Members Shekar Krishnan, Linda Lee, Sandra Ung and Julie Won gathered on the steps of City Hall Wednesday afternoon alongside Manhattan Council Member Carlina Rivera to celebrate the “historic” $2.5 million budget investment to support the implementation of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history curriculum in NYC schools.

Woman attacked and strangled in anti-LGBTQ assault in Far Rockaway: NYPD

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating an anti-LGBTQ attack on a woman in Far Rockaway on the night of Tuesday, June 24, and three suspects remain at large.

The 28-year-old victim was walking in front of 18-26 Village Lane just north of Mott Avenue at around 8:30 p.m. when she was approached by the three men who shouted anti-LGBTQ rhetoric before they punched her multiple times, and one of the assailants placed his hands around her neck, and strangled her into unconsciousness, police said. The three men fled the scene, just down the street from the Rockaway Village development, to parts unknown.

Forest Hills home invasion leaves man hospitalized after brutal assault and robbery: NYPD

Police from the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills are looking for three suspects who beat and robbed a 28-year-old man during a home invasion on the afternoon of Saturday, June 21. The three intruders slipped into an apartment building at 102-40 62nd Ave. at around 4 p.m.

The perpetrators allegedly forced their way into the victim’s apartment, punched him repeatedly in his body with closed fists, and forcibly removed $60 in cash and medication before fleeing the building in an unknown direction, police said Monday. EMS responded to the crime scene and transported the victim to Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, where he was listed in stable condition.