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N.J. Allows Gatherings and Opens Campgrounds: Live Updates N.J. Allows Gatherings and Opens Campgrounds: Live Updates
(about 3 hours later)
Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey said Friday that the state would allow outdoor crowds of up to 25 people and let campgrounds reopen.Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey said Friday that the state would allow outdoor crowds of up to 25 people and let campgrounds reopen.
“I’m proud we are able to take this step today and add a little more hope and optimism to the start of summer,” Mr. Murphy said.“I’m proud we are able to take this step today and add a little more hope and optimism to the start of summer,” Mr. Murphy said.
Social distancing would still be required at outdoor get-togethers, which had been limited to 10 people, and at campgrounds. Face coverings are not required outside, but state officials recommend them.Social distancing would still be required at outdoor get-togethers, which had been limited to 10 people, and at campgrounds. Face coverings are not required outside, but state officials recommend them.
“If you were looking forward to gathering with your neighbors for a Memorial Day cookout, you may do so,” Mr. Murphy said, “so long as social distancing and personal responsibility remain the order of the day.”“If you were looking forward to gathering with your neighbors for a Memorial Day cookout, you may do so,” Mr. Murphy said, “so long as social distancing and personal responsibility remain the order of the day.”
Outdoor dining at restaurants remains forbidden in New Jersey, though Connecticut began allowing it on Wednesday; indoor events are still limited to 10 people, Mr. Murphy said.Outdoor dining at restaurants remains forbidden in New Jersey, though Connecticut began allowing it on Wednesday; indoor events are still limited to 10 people, Mr. Murphy said.
New Jersey also reported 146 new virus-related deaths, bringing the state’s total to 10,985.New Jersey also reported 146 new virus-related deaths, bringing the state’s total to 10,985.
New York City is seriously considering letting beachgoers into the water in June, should the pandemic continue to ebb. A 24-year-old man drowned in the ocean off Rockaway Beach in Queens on Friday while trying to swim with no lifeguards on duty.
Three men were pulled from the water by emergency medical workers, the police said, and one was taken to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Queens, where he was pronounced dead.
The drowning came on the same day that Mayor Bill de Blasio said that New York City was considering opening its beaches for swimming in June, should the pandemic continue to ebb. (Under a typical summer schedule, lifeguards would not have been working the city’s beaches until Saturday.)
Mayor de Blasio offered condolences to the man’s family in a tweet Friday afternoon, and reiterated his calls for people to stay out of the water at city beaches while no lifeguards are on duty.
The drowning underscored concerns over leaving beaches unattended by lifeguards. Corey Johnson, the New York City Council speaker, said that not having any on duty would create dangerous situations.
“I’m not sure it’s realistic to believe that people will not attempt to swim,” Mr. Johnson said, “and we don’t want to be arresting people in the midst of this pandemic.”
City lifeguards have been called into pools for their annual recertification, said Henry Garrido, executive director of the lifeguards’ union, District Council 37. “They’re being trained to get ready to open the beach early in June,” Mr. Garrido said.City lifeguards have been called into pools for their annual recertification, said Henry Garrido, executive director of the lifeguards’ union, District Council 37. “They’re being trained to get ready to open the beach early in June,” Mr. Garrido said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said at his Friday briefing, “The fact is we are getting the lifeguards ready right now.” He declined to give a reopening date, but a spokeswoman for him said the lifeguard training was in anticipation of a possible June reopening. Mayor de Blasio declined to give a reopening date at his briefing Friday morning, but a spokeswoman for him said the lifeguard training was in anticipation of a possible June reopening.
The city traditionally opens its beaches for wading and swimming on Memorial Day weekend. But this year, the ocean had been declared off limits, with crowds on the sand also sharply restricted.The city traditionally opens its beaches for wading and swimming on Memorial Day weekend. But this year, the ocean had been declared off limits, with crowds on the sand also sharply restricted.
Mr. de Blasio has warned New Yorkers not to take mass transit to the beach and said that for now, beaches are intended only for those who live near them. He also said last week that the city would enforce strict limits on crowding and fence off beaches if necessary. Mr. de Blasio has warned New Yorkers not to take mass transit to the beach and said that for now, beaches are intended only for those who live near them.
He said that “hundreds of officers” would be at the beaches this weekend to back up parks workers on enforcing restrictions.
“If there are gatherings, if there are people trying to go in the water, parks is going to take the lead, but if they need support from N.Y.P.D., they will have it,” Mr. de Blasio said.
New York City’s neighbors are taking a different approach. Most beaches on Long Island and in New Jersey are open this weekend, including for swimming, though social distancing rules will be in effect everywhere.New York City’s neighbors are taking a different approach. Most beaches on Long Island and in New Jersey are open this weekend, including for swimming, though social distancing rules will be in effect everywhere.
Officials in those places fear a flood of New York City residents eager to access the water, and some are imposing restrictions to keep outsiders away.Officials in those places fear a flood of New York City residents eager to access the water, and some are imposing restrictions to keep outsiders away.
It remains unclear which city beaches may open in June and under what restrictions. Coney Island and Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, Orchard Beach in the Bronx and some beaches in the Rockaways are operated by the city.
Riis Beach and Fort Tilden in the Rockaways are operated by the National Park Service, which has said it will follow the city’s lead.
Janet Fash, a veteran lifeguard at the city-run Rockaway Beach, said that the training and certification, which includes having to swim 440 yards in 6 minutes and 40 seconds, has caused consternation among lifeguards who are reluctant to swim in a pool for fear of the virus.
Some have not swum since the outbreak began, she said.
“We have great ocean swimmers, great ocean lifeguards, who haven’t been able to train in a pool for two months,” Ms. Fash said. “They’re not going to swim the times they’re capable of.”
On Friday, three men were rescued from the water at Rockaway Beach in Queens, the Police Department said. Swimming and wading at the beach is still not permitted, and no lifeguards are present.
One of the men, a 24 year old, was in critical condition at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, the police said.
Friday morning at 7:15, the doors opened at Aliya Institute, a synagogue in the Hasidic stronghold of Crown Heights, Brooklyn.Friday morning at 7:15, the doors opened at Aliya Institute, a synagogue in the Hasidic stronghold of Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Exactly 10 men filed in — no more, by order of the governor, and no fewer, by order of a higher power. And the morning prayer known as Shachrit began.Exactly 10 men filed in — no more, by order of the governor, and no fewer, by order of a higher power. And the morning prayer known as Shachrit began.
The synagogue shut down voluntarily on March 10, days ahead of the statewide stay-at-home order, as the virus spread through the community, said Rabbi Moishe Faiglin, who leads the congregation.The synagogue shut down voluntarily on March 10, days ahead of the statewide stay-at-home order, as the virus spread through the community, said Rabbi Moishe Faiglin, who leads the congregation.
On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo declared that religious gatherings of up to 10 people could resume if attendees wore masks and maintained social distance.On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo declared that religious gatherings of up to 10 people could resume if attendees wore masks and maintained social distance.
The number is significant for Jewish congregations, where a minyan, defined as 10 people over the age of 13, is required for a worship service.The number is significant for Jewish congregations, where a minyan, defined as 10 people over the age of 13, is required for a worship service.
Normally, Schachrit at Aliya draws a crowd of 20 to 30, Rabbi Faiglin said.Normally, Schachrit at Aliya draws a crowd of 20 to 30, Rabbi Faiglin said.
“It was kind of tricky to do the service,” the rabbi said. “To rely on 10 is very difficult because one person always doesn’t show up. Now if you have any more than 10 you have to turn them away. And you don’t want to turn anyone away from synagogue.”“It was kind of tricky to do the service,” the rabbi said. “To rely on 10 is very difficult because one person always doesn’t show up. Now if you have any more than 10 you have to turn them away. And you don’t want to turn anyone away from synagogue.”
For the congregation of about 35 families, lockdown has been a stressful time.For the congregation of about 35 families, lockdown has been a stressful time.
“It’s been a breath of fresh air that we’ve even been able to come out of our houses,” he said. “Some people have been praying in their kitchen with six to 10 kids around them at the same time. This is a huge relief.”“It’s been a breath of fresh air that we’ve even been able to come out of our houses,” he said. “Some people have been praying in their kitchen with six to 10 kids around them at the same time. This is a huge relief.”
In Hasidic synagogues, women pray in a separate room from the men. Women will not be able to return to the synagogue until restrictions are lifted further.In Hasidic synagogues, women pray in a separate room from the men. Women will not be able to return to the synagogue until restrictions are lifted further.
Long Island and the suburban counties north of New York City could begin reopening next week if virus-related deaths kept falling and local officials set up strong contact-tracing programs, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Friday.Long Island and the suburban counties north of New York City could begin reopening next week if virus-related deaths kept falling and local officials set up strong contact-tracing programs, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Friday.
Anticipating the trends would hold, Mr. Cuomo said that construction companies could start staging building sites on Friday in both Long Island and the Mid-Hudson region, which includes Westchester and Rockland Counties. Construction cannot resume until the regions are cleared to reopen.Anticipating the trends would hold, Mr. Cuomo said that construction companies could start staging building sites on Friday in both Long Island and the Mid-Hudson region, which includes Westchester and Rockland Counties. Construction cannot resume until the regions are cleared to reopen.
As of Friday, all of the state’s 10 economic regions had started the reopening process except for New York City and the two suburban regions, which have yet to meet seven health-related criteria set by the state.As of Friday, all of the state’s 10 economic regions had started the reopening process except for New York City and the two suburban regions, which have yet to meet seven health-related criteria set by the state.
Both Mr. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have said that New York City was unlikely to begin reopening until June. The city has met four of the seven metrics.Both Mr. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have said that New York City was unlikely to begin reopening until June. The city has met four of the seven metrics.
It still needs to have at least 30 percent of its hospital beds and intensive-care beds available. As of Friday morning, it had 27 percent of hospital beds and 26 percent of I.C.U. beds available.It still needs to have at least 30 percent of its hospital beds and intensive-care beds available. As of Friday morning, it had 27 percent of hospital beds and 26 percent of I.C.U. beds available.
Mr. de Blasio has pegged the city’s path to reopening on three different but related metrics: the number of new hospital admissions for illness resembling Covid-19, the number of patients in critical care and the percentage of positive coronavirus tests.Mr. de Blasio has pegged the city’s path to reopening on three different but related metrics: the number of new hospital admissions for illness resembling Covid-19, the number of patients in critical care and the percentage of positive coronavirus tests.
Mr. de Blasio said Friday that the city would not reopen until it saw a 10-to-14-day period with under 200 daily hospitalizations, fewer than 375 patients in intensive care in public hospitals, and a positive-test rate under 15 percent.Mr. de Blasio said Friday that the city would not reopen until it saw a 10-to-14-day period with under 200 daily hospitalizations, fewer than 375 patients in intensive care in public hospitals, and a positive-test rate under 15 percent.
The number of those intensive-care patients was still well above the threshold, at 451, Mr. de Blasio said, but the city was meeting the other two criteria.The number of those intensive-care patients was still well above the threshold, at 451, Mr. de Blasio said, but the city was meeting the other two criteria.
Both city and state officials have said that their metrics were likely to go hand in hand, and that they would coordinate their decisions on reopening. But on Friday, Mr. Cuomo suggested that the state’s guidelines took precedence.Both city and state officials have said that their metrics were likely to go hand in hand, and that they would coordinate their decisions on reopening. But on Friday, Mr. Cuomo suggested that the state’s guidelines took precedence.
“It’s not up to the local officials,” Mr. Cuomo said of reopening. “It’s a statewide decision across the board.”“It’s not up to the local officials,” Mr. Cuomo said of reopening. “It’s a statewide decision across the board.”
Mr. Cuomo also announced 109 new virus-related deaths in the state, marking a fifth straight day that fatalities were just above 100.Mr. Cuomo also announced 109 new virus-related deaths in the state, marking a fifth straight day that fatalities were just above 100.
New York City will ramp up efforts to fight de facto outdoor parties outside the city’s restaurants and bars, after photos of crowds spread across the internet last weekend, Mayor de Blasio said on Friday.New York City will ramp up efforts to fight de facto outdoor parties outside the city’s restaurants and bars, after photos of crowds spread across the internet last weekend, Mayor de Blasio said on Friday.
“Take out, don’t hang out,” Mr. de Blasio said at his daily news briefing.“Take out, don’t hang out,” Mr. de Blasio said at his daily news briefing.
Bars and restaurants have been closed except for takeout and delivery, and under New York State’s stay-at-home orders, all nonessential gatherings are banned.Bars and restaurants have been closed except for takeout and delivery, and under New York State’s stay-at-home orders, all nonessential gatherings are banned.
But with warm weather arriving and traffic on city streets diminished, residents have been grabbing food and drinks to go and then consuming them outside businesses.But with warm weather arriving and traffic on city streets diminished, residents have been grabbing food and drinks to go and then consuming them outside businesses.
Mr. de Blasio said that the Police Department would increase its presence in neighborhoods where people improperly congregated last weekend.Mr. de Blasio said that the Police Department would increase its presence in neighborhoods where people improperly congregated last weekend.
The city will also provide more open space for pedestrians and cyclists across the five boroughs, closing 13 more miles of streets to traffic on Saturday.The city will also provide more open space for pedestrians and cyclists across the five boroughs, closing 13 more miles of streets to traffic on Saturday.
A Manhattan man lied on applications for more than $20 million dollars in federal coronavirus relief funds, saying they were needed to support hundreds of employees he did not have, federal prosecutors said.A Manhattan man lied on applications for more than $20 million dollars in federal coronavirus relief funds, saying they were needed to support hundreds of employees he did not have, federal prosecutors said.
The man, Muge Ma, 36, a citizen of China, was accused of bank fraud and wire fraud, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday in Federal District Court in Manhattan.The man, Muge Ma, 36, a citizen of China, was accused of bank fraud and wire fraud, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday in Federal District Court in Manhattan.
According to the complaint, Mr. Ma claimed he operated two businesses that paid millions of dollars in wages. One was identified as a “patriotic American firm,” while the other asserted it would “help the country reduce the high unemployment rate caused by the pandemic,” the complaint said.According to the complaint, Mr. Ma claimed he operated two businesses that paid millions of dollars in wages. One was identified as a “patriotic American firm,” while the other asserted it would “help the country reduce the high unemployment rate caused by the pandemic,” the complaint said.
Mr. Ma applied for loans earmarked for small businesses through programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, meant to help companies meet their payroll during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, the complaint said. But Mr. Ma appeared to be the only employee of either company.Mr. Ma applied for loans earmarked for small businesses through programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, meant to help companies meet their payroll during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, the complaint said. But Mr. Ma appeared to be the only employee of either company.
“Ma’s alleged attempts to secure funds earmarked for legitimate small businesses in dire financial straits are as audacious as they are callous,” Geoffrey S. Berman, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement.“Ma’s alleged attempts to secure funds earmarked for legitimate small businesses in dire financial straits are as audacious as they are callous,” Geoffrey S. Berman, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement.
Mr. Ma also falsely claimed his company New York International Capital was working with New York State to acquire Covid-19 test kits and personal protective equipment to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, the complaint said.Mr. Ma also falsely claimed his company New York International Capital was working with New York State to acquire Covid-19 test kits and personal protective equipment to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, the complaint said.
Mr. Ma’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Mr. Ma’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this month, two New England men were charged with fraud tied to the small business loan program as part of the Justice Department’s effort to prosecute coronavirus-related crimes.Earlier this month, two New England men were charged with fraud tied to the small business loan program as part of the Justice Department’s effort to prosecute coronavirus-related crimes.
As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help. We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what’s happening in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers.As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help. We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what’s happening in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers.
A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.
Reporting was contributed by Maria Cramer, Michael Gold, Corey Kilgannon, Andy Newman, Dana Rubinstein and Katie Van Syckle. Reporting was contributed by Maria Cramer, Michael Gold, Corey Kilgannon, Andy Newman, Joel Petterson, Dana Rubinstein and Katie Van Syckle.