ALBANY, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced the reopening of some indoor activities that had been put on hold indefinitely amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Bowling alleys across the state will be allowed to open at 50% capacity on Monday. All patrons will be required to wear face coverings and every other lane must stay closed to promote social distancing. Bowlers will be required to stay in their lanes with their own parties.
The establishments will also be required to have strict cleaning and disinfecting protocols in place, especially on shared and rented equipment.
Food and alcohol service will be handled by wait staff.
"You're at a lane, you're bowling, you can order food, you can order alcohol, they come to you, you don't go to a bar, you don't go to a food concession, they come to you," Cuomo said.
Museums, aquariums and other low-risk indoor cultural activities have been cleared to open in New York City starting Aug. 24 at 25% occupancy. Timed ticketing will be required along with pre-set staggered entry. Face coverings will be mandatory.
Cuomo said protocols for reopening gyms across the state will be released Monday.
The governor announced the latest round of reopenings after reporting more progress in New York's fight against the virus.
“While the other states are seeing real trouble, we are doing very well,” he said.
For the seventh straight day, the statewide infection rate was below 1% on Thursday. Of the 85,455 new tests conducted across the state, 727 came back positive.
Cuomo said 554 people were hospitalized with the virus, 127 of whom were in intensive care units and 59 of whom were on ventilators. The governor also reported four new coronavirus-related deaths.