Cuomo: Some visits, gatherings OK

NEW YORK — COVID-19 patients will be allowed visitors in some New York hospitals and small Memorial Day ceremonies will be allowed. In New York City, online schooling will continue through the summer for some 177,700 public school students.

Sixteen hospitals in New York state will allow visitors as part of a pilot program addressing the heartbreak of COVID-19 patients suffering while isolated from their families and friends.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said visits under the two-week pilot program will be time-limited. Visitors will need to wear protective equipment and will be subject to temperature and symptom checks.

Strict visitation rules were adopted to check the spread of the virus, but they have resulted in painful scenes of patients relying on phones or tablets for emotional conversations with loved ones.

Nine of the hospitals participating are in New York City, with the rest spread out around the state.

New York will allow Memorial Day ceremonies with up to 10 people despite statewide lockdown rules, Cuomo said Tuesday.

Ceremonies marking the Monday holiday with 10 or fewer people will be allowed by the state, but at the discretion of local governments, Cuomo said. Nonessential gatherings have been barred in New York since March, but the governor said honoring the sacrifices of military members is an “important tradition.”

Localities can also stage vehicle parades, which have become more popular during the pandemic.

“This is important to many, many families all across this state,” the governor said.“It’s important to the veterans that they be recognized, and I think we can do that, and I think we can do it safely.”