Cuomo says racetracks can reopen in June as virus hospitalizations drop further

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Saturday announced that racetracks could reopen in June as the state’s total hospitalizations from COVID-19 related illnesses drops further.

During a press conference on Saturday, Cuomo said horse races could begin as early as June 1 without spectators, and that measures will be detailed in the coming week on how to reopen tracks safely.

In his address, he also said Watkins Glen International race track would be eligible to reopen for NASCAR races in August, adding that he might drive his car around the track to commemorate the reopening.

Baseball was also listed as a sport that could run its season without a crowd.

The governor mentioned earlier in his address that daily hospitalizations and intubations are down throughout the state, reporting 400 new cases daily.

Some regions will begin reopening for elective surgeries and ambulatory care, such as Westchester and Suffolk counties.

“We want to make sure people who need medical services are getting medical services,” the governor said, adding that some facilities were previously only treating COVID-19 patients.

Cuomo detailed the number of lives lost daily since May 10, showing a range between 132 to 195 daily COVID-19 deaths. He said the death total for May 15 at 157 deaths is starting to resemble rates before deaths skyrocketed in late March.

“Again, we’re right about where we were when we started, we just want to make sure we don’t go back to the hell that we’ve gone through,” Cuomo said.

The governor took a moment in his briefing to highlight other cities and countries that have reinstated some restrictions after lifting them, telling New Yorkers it is their individual responsibility to exercise caution and maintain social distance to ensure cases do not spike back up.