New York beaches were partially reopened last month. (Representative)
New York beaches will be open to the public for swimming before Independence Day, after being partially reopened for Memorial Day weekend celebrations last month, Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted late Tuesday.
The mayor confirmed media reports that the city’s beaches will be officially opened next week.
“The rumors are true: New York beaches will be open for swimming on July 1,” said de Blasio.
He reiterated that people should follow social distancing rules and cover faces on the beach to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, which killed more than 121,000 people and affected 2.36 million people in the United States on Tuesday evening .
The beaches of a few states were partially reopened for Memorial Day weekend May 23 and 25, with various restrictions, including a ban on swimming on New York beaches.
The city reported a total of 217,742 cases of coronavirus yesterday and 22,343 deaths.
The decision to open beaches before the Independence Day weekend comes as the country grapples with public health issues and social tensions.
The United States has witnessed many 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.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
