The Mayor Promises a Summer to Remember in New York. Can He Deliver?
A pledge from Mayor Bill de Blasio that New York City would fully reopen on July 1 brought hope. But his vision of a city reborn faces significant obstacles.
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De Blasio Says, ‘This Is Going to Be the Summer of New York City’
Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York set a goal on Thursday for a full reopening of city businesses on July 1, but his authority to lift restrictions was somewhat limited. Capacity limits have been set by the state.
“We are ready to bring New York City back fully on July 1. What you have done is the reason I can make this announcement today, because you’ve gone out, you’ve gotten vaccinated, you’ve done so much to fight through this crisis. Now we can see that light at the end of the tunnel. This is going to be the summer of New York City. We’re all going to get to enjoy this city again. And people are going to flock here from all over the country to be a part of this amazing moment in New York City. It means going to stores and anyone who wants to shop at a store can go to a store again. It means bars and restaurants being able to come back, bring back. so many of their employees, serve so many more customers. It means so many of our cultural events being open again, theaters coming back, so many of the things that we cherish. And what it means for everyday working people, for all those cooks and waiters and bartenders and folks who work in the kitchen, for the small business owners, the folks who built up their businesses for years and years and have fought to survive, for everyday people, for our artists and our performers, it means a chance to do what you are so great at again.” Reporter: “What kind of conversations have you had with the governor about the city’s plans to fully reopen in July?” “I have not, and I think the best way to proceed here is to set out the city’s vision. We’re going to work with the federal government. We’re going to work with the state government. But it’s quite clear, you just saw the indicators, you’ve seen the numbers of vaccination. It’s quite clear it’s time to set a goal, and move on that goal. So we’ll work with all the other levels of government. But we’ve got to keep moving toward a goal at this point.”