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Updated Jun 16, 2021 - Economy & Business

In photos: Life slowly returning to normal as restrictions lift across U.S.

Rebecca Falconer
The fireworks to mark the end of the COVID-19 restrictions in New York State and honor frontline workers are seen with the Statue of Liberty in New York City, United States on June 15

Fireworks near the Statue of Liberty in New York City marking the end of New York State's pandemic restrictions in New York state and honoring frontline workers. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

New Yorkers and Californians celebrated most COVID-19 restrictions lifting on Tuesday, as the two states became the latest to move toward fully reopening their economies.

The big picture: The pandemic has now claimed over 600,000 lives in the U.S., but vaccines have helped drive down the seven-day average to roughly 14,000 new cases and fewer than 400 deaths per day, helping most states to ease restrictions.

Guests ride the Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park following the state's full reopening on June 15
Guests ride a roller coaster inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park near Los Angeles, following California's full reopening on June 15. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
People drink at a restaurant in the U Street corridor of Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, June 11
A restaurant in Washington, D.C., on June 11, when capacity restrictions enacted during the pandemic on bars and nightclubs were fully lifted. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
People walk through Pike Place Market as Seattle has become the first major city to reach a 70 percent COVID-19 vaccination rate on June 10, 2021 in Seattle, Washington.
Pike Place in Seattle, as it becomes the first major city to reach a 70% COVID-19 vaccination rate on June 10. Washington state is due to fully reopen on June 30 or earlier if it meets its goal of vaccinating 70% of the state's population. Photo: David Ryder/Getty Images
People gather for lunch at a restaurant on Michigan Avenue on June 11, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois.
A restaurant in Chicago on June 11, as the state of Illinois lifted nearly all COVID-19 restrictions. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
People enjoy the opening of the salad bar at Lambert's Market in Boston's Dorchester after the easing of coronavirus restrictions in Massachusetts on June 14.
People enjoy the opening of the salad bar at Lambert's Market outside of Boston after the easing of coronavirus restrictions in Massachusetts on June 14. Photo: David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Fans watching the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Race 2 on June 13, 2021 at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan.
Fans watching the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Race 2 on June 13 at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park in Detroit. Michigan is due to ease a range of restrictions on July 1. Photo: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Stella"u2019s Coffee Haus of South Pearl Street in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, June 15
A cafe in Denver on June 15. Colorado ended most pandemic restrictions and lifted its face mask order in May. Photo: Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Osborne performs with the Osborn Bothers during the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam on June 06, 2021 in Panama City Beach, Florida.
T.J. Osborne performs with the Osborn Bothers during the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam on June 6 in Panama City Beach, Florida. In May, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) ended the state's health restrictions. Photo: Michael Chang/Getty Images

Flashback ... In photos: How COVID-19 changed daily life in 2020

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more photos.

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