Cuomo Says a 3% Positive Rate in NYC Also Would Close Dining

(Bloomberg) -- Governor Andrew Cuomo said a 3% average Covid-19 test rate in New York City, which would trigger a shutdown of the school system, also would force indoor dining, gyms and other “high-risk” nonessential businesses to close.

The city is operating in-class instruction on a day-to-day basis, Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he will close schools the day after the seven-day average rate of positive tests reaches 3%. As of yesterday, the city’s average rate was 2.5%, according to Cuomo.

A 3% rate also would place all of New York City in the state-designated orange zone, Cuomo said, which calls for business closings and capacity limits for mass gatherings and houses of worship. In addition to indoor dining, there would be a four-person maximum per table for outdoor dining.

Cuomo predicted a “tremendous spike’ in cases after Thanksgiving because people are under the illusion that it is safe to be around family.

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