Governor Cuomo Announces Milestone of 70% Resident Vaccination Rate
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] New York State, once notorious as the largest COVID-19 'hotspot' in the U.S. during the early stages of the pandemic, has virtually lifted all quarantine restrictions. California, which has become the largest outbreak area in the U.S. surpassing New York, has also lifted quarantine regulations, accelerating America's declaration of independence from COVID-19.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on the 15th (local time) that 70% of residents have received at least one vaccine dose, and from that day forward, most quarantine restrictions will be lifted.
Governor Cuomo emphasized, "A 70% vaccination rate means we can return to the life we know," adding, "We are now returning not to a life of survival, but to a life of living." Accordingly, quarantine regulations such as social distancing and capacity limits that applied to commercial facilities including shopping centers, restaurants, theaters, as well as construction, agriculture, and fisheries sites have been removed. All gatherings can now be held without capacity restrictions. Measures that were required when entering restaurants and other venues have also been eliminated. Business operators are freed from quarantine obligations. The only remaining regulations apply to schools, healthcare facilities, and public transportation where federal government guidelines are enforced.
Governor Cuomo, who actively imposed lockdowns in the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, has also shown a proactive stance in lifting restrictions. He ended the daily COVID-19 briefings that made him a national figure on the same day.
California, which has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 infections in the U.S., also lifted most quarantine regulations on the same day, including capacity limits for businesses and stores, mask-wearing, and social distancing.
To express gratitude and celebrate residents who overcame the COVID-19 crisis, New York State held large-scale fireworks displays across the state, including at New York Harbor in Manhattan. Meanwhile, according to the international statistics site Our World in Data, as of this day, 17 out of the 50 states have vaccinated over 70% of adults with at least one dose. Vermont leads with 84%, followed by Hawaii (82%) and Massachusetts (81%).
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