Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York announced on Friday that lockdowns in some areas of New York City would be eased — and that students at State University of New York colleges and universities would not be able to return to campus after Thanksgiving break.
Mr. Cuomo said his approach to fighting the virus — a welter of sometimes confusing benchmarks and tiers — was “working and working well” and that a microcluster in Far Rockaway, Queens, had been extinguished. Areas designated for lockdown in Brooklyn would be shrunk by half, the governor said.
“Downstate is now doing better than upstate New York,” Mr. Cuomo said, “which is a total reversal from the first phase of Covid.”
In contrast, Mayor Bill de Blasio warned of the threat of a second wave for the city, pointing to a rise in the city’s seven-day average rate of positive virus test results in a call with WNYC. The rate is now 1.96, which is far below the 5 percent health authorities see as problematic, but the upward trend was “a problem,” Mr. de Blasio warned.
In announcing his decision on SUNY campuses, Governor Cuomo argued that bringing students at the 64 colleges and universities back after Thanksgiving would needlessly increase the health risks.
“To send children home for Thanksgiving to then bring them back basically for a couple of weeks from across the country and then end the semester — literally two, three weeks later — doesn’t make a lot of sense,” the governor said. “The SUNY policy does make sense. I’d like to hear what the private colleges are thinking.”
Most SUNY institutions had already planned to shift to online classes after Thanksgiving anyway, a spokeswoman said on Friday. Mr. Cuomo urged private colleges to consider similar moves.
Statewide and across the country, many private universities, including Cornell, Ithaca College and Syracuse University, have already planned transitions to online learning post-Thanksgiving. Others, such as New York University, have notified students who are planning to travel to hot spot areas of the need to quarantine upon return to campus.
At SUNY schools, most students will be required to test negative for the virus before leaving campus for Thanksgiving. Those who do not abide by state public health rules or SUNY policies may face suspension, Ms. Liapis said.
Statewide and across the country, many private universities, including Cornell, Ithaca College and Syracuse University, have already planned transitions to online learning post-Thanksgiving. Others, such as New York University, have notified students who are planning to travel to hot spot areas of the need to quarantine upon return to campus
Mr. Cuomo also elaborated on one method of enforcing an order that incoming travelers from non-neighboring states must be tested for the coronavirus before and after entry. He said there would be an elevated law enforcement presence at airports.
“You should not land if you do not have proof of a negative test upon landing,” he said.
Local health authorities are also expected to enforce the order.
— Troy Closson The New York Times