Cuomo Opens New York Beaches Despite Extension of Shutdown

New York will join the nearby states of New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware in partially reopening beaches for the Memorial Day weekend, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Friday.

The decision comes despite Cuomo's executive order issued late Thursday that extended his “New York State on PAUSE” order for two more weeks, to May 28.

The statewide stay-at-home order, which also closed nonessential businesses and banned social gatherings, was scheduled to expire Friday.

Cuomo's announcement also comes one day after New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was opening the beaches for the traditional May 23-25 start of summer.