NYC Will Reopen 100% on July 1; What the Heck Does That Really Mean?

Renee Fleming at the Shed on April 21

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today on MSNBC's Morning Joe radio program that New York City will reopen 100 percent on July 1. That statement alone provided the media with a bold headline and got the public buzzing. What does it mean for the city to reopen, however? 

The mayor's details were vague, devoid of any progressive steps or anchoring dates. That is because the mayor does not have the authority to reopen much of anything. That power rests with the governor. De Blasio did not consult with Cuomo before making what may have been a spontaneous, off-the-cuff remark. Now de Blasio will have to spend the rest of the week defending and supporting that statement.

Not allowing the mayor to steal any of his thunder, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo responded during his afternoon press conference, saying that he hoped to reopen even before July 1.

For both politicians, reopening seems to mean that restaurants, gyms, shops, hair salons and arenas will open at full capacity. Smaller theaters could reopen over the summer, with Broadway trailing in September because of the preparatory requirements of these large-scale productions. Schools also would reopen in the fall. There has been no announcements as to what the safety or vaccination protocols would be.

Jack West (right) with Brody Schenk at the Bowery Electric on April 29

“We are ready for stores to open, for businesses to open, offices, theaters, full strength,” de Blasio said of his proposed date.

“I don’t want to wait that long. I think if we do what we have to do we can reopen earlier,” Cuomo said,

The feud is on!

War Violet at Berlin on April 28

At press time, the milestones for May were those announced by Cuomo yesterday. Seating at bars will be allowed in New York City starting this coming Monday, May 3. Throughout the state, the current midnight dining curfews at outdoor venues will expire on May 17. Indoor dining curfews will end on May 31. No further plans have been announced, although Cuomo is expected to announce tomorrow that indoor capacity at New York City restaurants will increase to 75 percent on May 7, matching the limitations throughout the rest of the state. That still means a whole lot has to happen in June in order to reach de Blasio's July 1 goal.

Meanwhile, The Manhattan Beat has found that New York City already offers fine musical performances.

Jeff McErlain (left) at the Bitter End on April 29

Kid Krill at Marshall Stack on April 29

Grady Tesch led Momentum at Rue-B on April 23

Old Wilensky at the Anyway Café on April 29

Mike Stern (left) at the 55 Bar on April 21 (photograph by Seth Okrend)

***

The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music developments as they happen. For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of  upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's April or May calendars.