New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says he will relinquish the emergency powers he’s held for the past 15 months during the COVID-19 pandemic, as infection rates continue to drop and vaccination rates slowly climb. The governor says he’s giving up the emergency authority that gave him the power to close schools and businesses, require masks and social distancing, and regulate how many people could gather at one time, even in private homes.
“The emergency is over,” said the Democrat, who said the state of emergency expires Thursday.
“It will not be renewed,” the governor said.
Cuomo’s wide-ranging powers became controversial in recent months, as the governor faces a number of scandals, including sexual harassment allegations and the accuracy of nursing home death numbers during the pandemic. The Democratic-led legislature in early March 2021 moved to curb some of those powers. Republican lawmakers have argued for months that the emergency authority was no longer needed and should end.
In a statement, Republican Assembly Leader Will Barclay called it “welcome news,” while Senate GOP Leader Robert Ortt said it was “long overdue.”
While many of the governor’s emergency rules were unpopular, one that was well received, the ability of bars and restaurants to offer takeout alcoholic beverages, also expires on Thursday. Bills in the legislature to extend the rule or make it permanent failed.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, says a survey done by her group finds 78% of New Yorkers wanted the rule to be made permanent.
“Only in New York would elected officials ignore an overwhelming majority of the public,” she said.
Restrictions still remain in effect for the more than 45% of New Yorkers who are not yet fully vaccinated. They still have to wear masks in public and social distance. Face coverings are still required in health care settings, including nursing homes, as well as at prisons and homeless shelters, and on public transit.
The governor’s announcement comes as the positivity rate for the virus, at 0.36% statewide, dropped for the 79th day in a row. 474 New Yorkers remain in the hospital and six died of the disease Tuesday.
Vaccination rates have stagnated. On June 15, Cuomo announced that 70% of New Yorkers had received at least one dose of the vaccine. On Tuesday, that rate was 71.2%. 52.3% of New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, below the numbers needed to reach herd immunity.
The governor says efforts are now focused on getting younger people vaccinated, and he says a weekly college scholarship giveaway, which continues for one more week, has resulted in tens of thousands of more teenagers getting vaccinated.
Cuomo says his administration will continue to monitor the disease.
“We’re still watching COVID, it would be irresponsible and reckless not to be wary and vigilant,” said Cuomo, who said new variants, including the delta variant, are spreading quickly.
The governor says post-pandemic challenges include rebuilding the economy. There’s also a worker shortage in the service industry, including restaurants and other businesses needed to help welcome back tourists. And the state’s cities are experiencing growing gun violence.
