Synagogues can reopen on limited scale in most of New York state
The main sanctuary of Central Synagogue. Image by Wikipedia
(JTA) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that houses of worship can reopen on a limited scale.
Cuomo announced on Saturday that as New York’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis continues to move forward, the state can loosen some restrictions put into place to stem the pandemic.
As part of the loosening, religious services will be permitted inside houses of worship designated as phase two of the state reopening plan, which includes all ares of the state except for New York City, which will begin phase one on Monday. The buildings will be required to operate at 25 percent of their usual capacity and with appropriate social distancing and disinfecting.
“We’re going to open the valve more than we originally anticipated because the metrics are so good,” Cuomo said during his daily briefing.
On Friday, 35 people in New York died with the COVID-19 virus, down from a high of 800 some eight weeks ago.
Reopening houses of worship had originally been slated for stage four or reopening. Some have called for a quicker reopening, noting that protests now unfolding against racism and police brutality have gathered thousands of demonstrators who are not social distancing.
About two weeks ago, the governor allowed services to resume with 10 worshippers or less, and strongly advised that the services be held out of doors.
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