Gov.
Andrew Cuomo eased COVID-19 cluster restrictions Wednesday in Orange County
after he says progress was made, but there is still a degree of tension in the
community.
Three
weeks ago, the cluster had a reported a 12% positivity rate. That has dropped
to 2% along with the number of hospitalizations flattening out. The red zone
became orange – meaning:
Houses
of worship are now allowed at 33% capacity or up to 25 people.
Restaurants
are now able to serve customers outdoors with a cap of four people per table.
High-risk
businesses, like gyms and personal care services, are still shuttered.
Schools
remain closed as students learn remotely.
However,
County Executive Steve Neuhaus says predominantly Orthodox Jewish private
schools in Palm Tree are open because the governor has agreed to deem them
"child care services."
That
has created tension with other schools nearby.
"I
am seeing some improvement, but I would also like to see a universal policy
that impacts everybody and not penalize one group over the other,” he says.
The
red zone in Rockland County also showed improvement but is remaining red for
now.