New York, a “resilient city that knows how to bounce back”

Shows resumed in April at this Upper West Side venue.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Raphaël Bouvier-Auclair

—

It’s still very confusing, explains Dani Zoldan of the relaunch of activities in New York State.%, but you had to keep a certain distance “,” text “:” I heard that you could open to 100%, but that you had to keep a certain distance “}}”>I heard that you can open 100%, but you have to keep a certain distance, he adds.

Authorities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have announced that starting Wednesday, May 19, the vast majority of health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic will be lifted on their territory.

Important exception: stadiums and amphitheatres will only be able to accommodate 30% or 33% of their usual audience, requiring proof of vaccination or negative screening test.

“The tide is turning,” said the governor of New York to justify his decision. Andrew Cuomo in particular highlights the extent of vaccination in his state, although the immunization campaign has slowed in recent weeks.

Vaccination rate of the adult population in New York State

At least one dose: 61% (18 years and over)

Complete vaccination: 52.2% (18 years and over)

–

This reopening is well received by the jazz drummer Nasheet Waits, who believes that artists and members of the public are thirsty to find yourself. Like many fellow musicians, he has mostly performed in parks over the past year.

It was very difficult. Most of us make a living from performing and traveling.

Numerous concerts have been presented in Central Park over the past year.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Raphaël Bouvier-Auclair

—

Despite this enthusiasm, players in the New York cultural and tourism sectors are nevertheless expecting a gradual resumption of activities in the metropolitan area.

When will there be a full resumption of activities?

In Manhattan, the contrast with spring 2020 is stark. Traffic jams have resumed on some arteries and on sunny days Central Park is teeming with pedestrians and cyclists.

Valérie, a New Yorker whom we had met at the worst of the first wave, sees it as proof of a city resilient, who knows how to bounce back.

Central Park, New York.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Raphaël Bouvier-Auclair

—

Last year it was very, very stressful to be outside. We used to go there to shop and quickly get home. And there, everyone is outside.

Despite the resumption of life, there are many absent in the streets of the metropolis: international visitors. According to City University of New York, the city welcomed more than 13 million tourists from elsewhere in the world in 2018 alone.

Their absence is felt near certain tourist sites, such as Times Square.

I work for international tourists, not others, launches Ana, whose small souvenir kiosk is installed in the shade of lighted screens. In fifteen years of presence, she claims to have never experienced a situation similar to that of the last year.

Visitors are back in Times Square, but international visitors are scarce.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Raphaël Bouvier-Auclair

—

Another major factor is that lifting many restrictions today will not mark a return to normal in this central New York neighborhood.

Although they would be authorized to reopen their doors, the Broadway theaters decided to wait a few months before welcoming the public again, in order to get their productions back on track.

Managers of several shows, including Hamilton, have thus announced that they will not resume performances until mid-September.

To the room Stand Up NY, co-owner Dani Zoldan does not expect a full return to his activities until at least November.

Dani Zoldan is the owner of Stand Up NY.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Raphael Bouvier-Auclair

—

Until then, the entrepreneur promises to continue offering comedy shows in its venues with small audiences and also in the parks, a formula that the public greatly appreciated over the past year.

I will continue to have the same mindset that I adopted during the pandemic, that of trying to do things differently., he assures.

–

Related posts:

New specifications by the state government of Baden Württemberg

Paula Badosa and Juan Betancourt, very affectionate in New York

"AMD Competes for a Bigger Share of the $80 Billion AI Accelerator Market - Bank of America Report"

What is a Rooftop in New York?