New York ends most COVID restrictions as adult vaccine rate hits 70%

Jun. 15—NEW YORK — Seventy percent of adult New Yorkers have now received at least one dose of vaccine, triggering the end of many of the restrictions that have marked life during the pandemic these past 15 months.

Health screening, social distancing, disinfection protocols, capacity limits and other requirements are removed effective today at most public places, including offices, child care centers, gyms, restaurants and retail shops.

"We went literally from first to worst," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said of New York state's progress battling COVID. "We can now return to life as we know it."

Masks are still recommended in some situations, and required in schools from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, public transit and healthcare facilities, in line with federal guidance.

"This is a momentous day and we deserve it," Cuomo said.

He noted that the vaccination campaign that brought New York state to this point has reached an important milestone but is not over.

Many New Yorkers remain unvaccinated — the rate of at least partial vaccination rate for all ages is only about 56%.

And the adult vaccination rate varies widely across New York's 62 counties.

Schenectady County is highest at 78.3%. Fulton County is third-lowest at 50.7%

Among the state's ten regions, the Capital Region is second-highest at 74.4% of adults with at least one dose of vaccine and the Mohawk Valley is 10th at 60.6%.

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