Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York’s coronavirus state of emergency will
expire Thursday and will not be renewed.
"It will punctuate the expiration of the
emergency that we have been in because New Yorkers rallied and essential
workers rallied," says the governor.
The change comes after majority of New Yorkers get vaccinated
and hospitalization rates declining.
Positivity rates have also continued to
drop for weeks, making the mood no longer emergency-like, but of vigilance and
caution instead.
Although most places no longer requires masks, Cuomo says everyone vaccinated
or unvaccinated must wear a mask while riding public transportation and in
certain places like hospitals, nursing homes and homeless shelters.
The State Liquor Authority also tweeted that the temporary pandemic-related
privileges for to-go and delivery of alcoholic beverages ends Thursday. Anyone
who obtains a license by them will also have to get it renewed.