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Apr 13, 2020 - Health

Andrew Cuomo says he wants to reopen New York "as soon as possible"

Rebecca Falconer
New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo (D) speaking at a press Conference at the State Capitol.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo during a press conference at the State Capitol. Photo: Michael Brochstein/Echoes Wire/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) told a briefing Sunday he's coordinating with the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut on when to ease coronavirus restrictions, adding he wants to reopen nonessential businesses and public places "as soon as possible."

The big picture: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told Cuomo via text message of plans to keep 1,800 public schools shut until the end of June, per the New York Times. But Cuomo said it's too early to make such a call. "That's his opinion, but he didn't close them, and he can't open them," he said.

  • "If you say the schools are closed through June, you are effectively saying businesses are closed through June," Cuomo added.
  • He said data and science would drive the decision on when to reopen the state's economy.

Where it stands: More than 188,000 New Yorkers have tested positive for the coronavirus and over 9,300 people have died in the state. New York has tested more than 461,600 people for the virus, per Johns Hopkins data.

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