People in New York and New Jersey ignore coronavirus lockdown rules to hit bars and beaches on sweltering Saturday
PEOPLE flocked to beaches and bars around New York on Saturday, ignoring coronavirus lockdown rules as city officials warned of a rebound-spike in cases due to "quarantine fatigue".
Beachgoers in New York City and sought out sand and sun in Long Beach and Belmar to enjoy the 76-degree weather.
Levine urged Mayor Bill de Blasio to plan ahead for the safe outdoor use of streets, beaches, playgrounds and parks.
However, he said local officials had the option to keep beaches closed amid fears.
"Beaches will not open on Memorial Day, but we are putting plans into place so that we can open beaches this summer if it’s safe," he told , adding that he would be reviewing Cuomo's guidelines.
Cuomo had previously said New York state was aware of New Jersey's Governor Murphy's decision to announce the reopening of beaches throughout the state on Thursday.
NYC Parks Department & Recreation officials maintain around 14 miles of beach that usually open from Memorial Day weekend through September.
These include beauty spots like Rockaway Beach in Queens, Brooklyn's Coney Island, and Orchard Beach which usually attract thousands visitors every summer.
But on Friday, de Blasio said there would be enhanced patrols there in an effort to enforce the closure.
Meanwhile, Cuomo said if sun worshippers were unable to go to a state beach, they would "flood" other beaches in , , and New Jersey, putting New Yorkers and others in jeopardy.
The threat of overcrowding also prompted this decision to "open them with safeguards," he said.
But if people flouted the rules or local officials don't enforce them Cuomo warned the state "will close those beaches immediately."