The state’s COVID-19 infection hit a new low mark of 0.66 percent, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday from Clinton G. Martin Community Center. Because of this low rate, one of the best in the country, Cuomo will allow some “lower-risk” school sports to be played this fall.
Those sports include tennis, soccer, cross-country running, field hockey and swimming. Schools in all regions of the state may begin playing and practicing these sports beginning Sept. 21. Teams must follow the guidance set by the state Department of Health.
Sports involving full-physical contact will not be authorized to play games as of now, Cuomo said. These include football, wrestling, rugby and ice hockey. These sports may continue to practice.
Teams will not be allowed to travel outside of the school’s “region or contiguous regions/counties” until October 19th.
Dr. Robert Zayas, executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, heralded the governor’s announcement as “great news for student-athletes” via Twitter. He will meet with Section Executive Directors and his COVID Task Force beginning tomorrow to come up with guidance for school districts.
The NYSPHSAA announced earlier this summer that fall 2020 championships would be canceled. It has not made any recommendations as of now regarding fan attendance, according to the NYSPHSAA website.
Cuomo said the state infection rate has been under 1 percent for 17 straight days while New York implements more tests per capita than any other state. He reported that seven COVID-19 deaths had occurred in the state Sunday.
Only one region in the state has an infection rate over 1 percent. That being Western New York, sitting at 1.1 percent. Long Island’s is currently 0.6 percent, the governor said.
Cuomo praised the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for their work in keeping service going through the pandemic and working to disinfect trains and buses daily.
“The MTA had one of the really extraordinary challenges of all time, when you think about it,” Cuomo said. “The MTA had to continue its essential service throughout COVID because the MTA is the way the essential workers get to work.”
While lower ridership is generally not good for the MTA and has led to large revenue losses, Cuomo said the MTA has used the time to fast-track production on some important construction projects. One he pointed to was the L Train tunnel being completed under budget and six months ahead of schedule.
He also said the crossing grade at New Hyde Park Road is now open to vehicular traffic, two months ahead of schedule.
This project is part of the LIRR Third Track project slated to be completed in 2022. Cuomo called the crossing grade a “traffic nightmare” and said since his early days of driving he has asked why cars must be stopped for train crossings.
