The
mayor confirmed media reports that the city's beaches would be
officially open next week.
"The rumors are true: NYC beaches will open for swimming on July
1," de Blasio said.
He reiterated that people should follow social distancing rules
and cover faces at the beach to prevent spreading the novel
coronavirus, which has killed more than 121,000 people and
affected 2.36 million people in the U.S. as of late Tuesday.
Beaches in a few states were partially reopened for the Memorial
Day holiday weekend on May 23-25, with various restrictions,
including a swimming ban at New York City beaches.
The city has reported a total of 217,742 coronavirus cases as of
yesterday, and 22,343 dead.
The decision to open beaches ahead of Independence Day weekend
comes as the country is grappling with both public health
concerns and social tension.
U.S. has witnessed widespread protests against racial injustice
since the death of a Black man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis on
May 25, after a white police officer knelt on his neck.
(Reporting by Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru. Editing by Gerry
Doyle)
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