New York, New Jersey, Connecticut announce an end to COVID-19 restrictions Starting May 19, things will start getting back to normal in the nation’s largest metropolitan area 05/04/2021 Photo (c) gerenme - Getty ImagesIn perhaps the strongest sign yet that America is preparing to get back to normal, officials in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have announced their states will drop most COVID-19 restrictions by May 19. Portions of all three states are in the New York City metro. Mayor Bill de Blasio has previously said the city’s limits on businesses would be ending, but not as soon. "The tide is turning against COVID-19 in New York, and thanks to our increasing vaccination rates, as well as our successful, data-based regional approach, we're able to take more steps to reopen our economy, help businesses and workers, and keep moving towards returning to normal," Cuomo said in a statement.