Long Island Shuls May Open Wednesday at 25% Capacity

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(JTA) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that houses of worship in most of the state 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.

A group of Five Towns rabbis made a video celebrating the reopening of shuls and asking people to dedicate themselves to giving up grudges so Klal Yisrael can remain strong.

Religious services will be permitted inside houses of worship in areas designated as phase two of the state reopening plan, which includes all 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.

Andrew Cuomo

@NYGovCuomo

The metrics and health data across the state are very positive.

Taking that into account, churches, mosques and temples can reopen with 25% occupancy and with social distancing as part of Phase 2.

This starts immediately for regions currently in Phase 2.

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