(Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)
Oct. 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin
A decision on how long the COVID-19 shutdown zones will remain in force could come as soon as Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said today.
De Blasio said the COVID-19 positivity rates have improved in the cluster zones from what they were a week ago when nonessential businesses and schools were forced to close.
However, he said it’s still too soon to make a call as to whether the restrictions would last more than two weeks — the minimum time mandated by the state order.
“Today’s results indicate some leveling off, some improvement,” he said during a press briefing. “We are seeing a plateauing now of the test results and that is a very good sign, but [there’s] much much more to do.”
De Blasio said they should have a better idea of the situation by the end of the week — on Sunday.
“We’re not there yet to know the final answer,” he said. “Sunday we will have a good picture of whether we’re in striking range of pulling off the restrictions next week or whether we need more time.”
However, Governor Andrew Cuomo said only the state has the power to make that call.
Parts of Kew Gardens, Briarwood, Kew Gardens Hills, Forest Hills and Rego Park are within one red zone — where the most restrictions are. A second Queens red zone encompasses much of Far Rockaway.
