NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York state will allow schools to hold graduation ceremonies, with capacity limits, masks and other safety precautions in place, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.
Schools will be allowed to hold graduation ceremonies with the following capacity limits and restrictions starting May 1, Cuomo said during a teleconference Monday afternoon:
• Outdoor, large-scale ceremonies with 500 attendees will be limited to 20% of the venue capacity, with proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or vaccine
• Outdoor, medium-scale ceremonies with 201 to 500 attendees will be limited to 50% capacity, with proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or vaccine
• Outdoor, small-scale ceremonies of up to 200 people will be limited to 50% capacity, with proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or vaccine optional
• Indoor, large-scale ceremonies of over 150 people will be limited to 10% capacity, with proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or vaccine
• Indoor, medium-scale ceremonies of 100 to 150 people will be limited to 33% capacity, with proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or vaccine
• Indoor, small-scale ceremonies of up to 100 people will be limited to 50% capacity, with proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or vaccine optional
Schools that plan to hold graduation ceremonies must notify their local health departments, Cuomo said. Safety precautions including face coverings and contact tracing will be required, he added.
“We continue to encourage virtual, drive-in or individual ceremonies,” the governor said. “They are still the safest option for students and families, but we deserve a break, and students deserve their day for graduation and families deserve a little good news.”