US: Cuomo lifts ban on groups; NYC beaches open

New Yorkers experiencing cabin fever after two months of coronavirus quarantine were offered an unexpected reprieve when Gov. Andrew Cuomo eased state's ban on garings in time for Memorial Day weekend.

goverr signed an order late Friday allowing people to assemble in groups of as many as 10 as long as y stay at least 6 feet from or people and wear masks when y can't maintain that distance.

That could clear way for New Yorkers to picnic toger in parks and backyards — if y don't get too close to ir friends.

y can also he to New York City beaches this weekend, but y shouldn't expect to get in water, and y'd better be wearing a mask.

While beaches elsewhere in region will be open for swimming this weekend, Mayor Bill de Blasio has said swimming is t allowed at city's beaches and may t be all summer.

“I’ve been really clear about beaches; y are closed for swimming,” de Blasio said Friday at his daily coronavirus briefing. “re will t be lifeguards. People are t supposed to go to beach to swim.”

danger of swimming without lifeguards on duty was me clear Friday when a 24-year-old man drowned off Rockaway Beach in Queens.

main reason mayor has cited for swimming ban was to curb spre of virus by keeping people off public transportation.

Memorial Day weekend marks beginning of beach season in New York City, with — in rmal years — lifeguards starting duty and swimming permitted.

While beaches on Long Island or in New Jersey are usually reached by driving, city residents typically take subway to summertime destinations like Coney Island or Rockaway Beach.

Under guidelines intended to keep crowds from flocking to beaches, people who live nearby can go re to walk or to sit, de Blasio said. Hundreds of police officers and civilian city workers will be on hand to disperse garings that violate social distancing rules and to hand out masks to people who aren't wearing m, he said.

“I’m very hopeful that this weekend at our beaches, you’re going to see people following rules because y kw it’s right thing to do,” de Blasio said. “But if y need some reminders, of course re’ll be people out re educating, giving out face coverings.”

While most of New York state has begun to ease restrictions, de Blasio and Cuomo, both Democrats, have said that New York City, epicenter of virus outbreak in United States, is