Coronavirus: Limited reopenings begin in New York state as stay-at-home order is extended in NYC

Five regions of New York can begin the first phase of reopening

Governor Andrew Cuomo is extending the stay-at-home order for several parts of the state, including New York City, Long Island, Hudson Valley and Albany.

The original stay-at-home order expired Friday. ABC7 New York reported that businesses in unaffected regions - The Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, the North Country and Central NY - have begun to reopen as a result.

Mr Cuomo said that he wanted to ensure the state's reopening was intelligent and safe.

"You have to reopen intelligently and you have to reopen in a calibrated way. Nobody says 'Don't reopen.' They say, 'be intelligent about the way you reopen. Follow the data. Follow the science. Follow the facts. Follow the metrics,'" Mr Cuomo said.

In addition to meeting Mr Cuomo's metrics for reopening, regions also have to ensure at least a third of hospital and ICU beds are available and that health professionals are conducting expansive contract tracing to track the spread of the coronavirus.

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Mr Cuomo said that the "New York State on PAUSE" policy would stay in effect for New York City and Long Island until 28 May. The enforcement powers of the PAUSE policy will continue until June 13, 2020 with the possibility of extension.

In New York City, the police will still enforce bans on gatherings of six or more. Thus far, the NYPD has deployed nearly 2,300 units meant to enforce social distancing, with every department dedicating one car specifically tasked to respond to social distancing complaints.

There have been 22,170 coronavirus deaths in New York since the state first began reporting on 4 March. Of those, some 15,000 occurred in New York City.

Even if New York City reaches its reopen metrics, Mayor Bill DeBlasio warns things won't be returning to normal anytime soon.

Mr DeBlasio said there is no guarantee that permits for outdoor events - like barbecues and pools - will be issued, and he may refrain from reopening public beaches and pools as well.