New Yorkers flocked to Central Park to enjoy the warm weather on Sunday despite the city being the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.
Images from the afternoon where temperatures reached 61 degrees, show people walking around, sometimes with less than the recommended six feet between them, and reclining back on the lawns.
Many New York City residents were noticeably not wearing face coverings, even though authorities have repeatedly warned that COVID-19 is spread via respiratory droplets that enter the body via the eyes, nose and mouth.
Although tourism has ceased due the deadly outbreak that had infected more than 750,000 and killed 40,276 Americans as of Sunday, the Manhattan tourist hotspot looked lively.
New Yorkers flocked to Central Park to enjoy the warm weather on Sunday despite the city being the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak
Images from the afternoon where temperatures reached 61 degrees, show people walking around, sometimes with less than the recommended six feet between them, and reclining back on the lawns
City dwellers enjoyed the sunshine walking their dogs as the temperature reached 61 degrees
Although tourism has ceased due the deadly outbreak that had infected more than 750,000 and killed 40,276 Americans as of Sunday, the Manhattan tourist hotspot looked lively amid strict stay-at-home orders
Central Park was the popular spot for joggers and dog walkers on Sunday
The US is the worst country in the world when it comes to the recorded infection rate.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday signed an order that makes it mandatory for people to wear a face mask when in close proximity. They must cover their mouth and nose if they cannot stay six feet apart from the nearest person.
People without masks can use a cloth covering. Cuomo said he may enforce civil penalties if there’s widespread non-compliance but doesn’t want to.
More than 500 people died from coronavirus in the state on Saturday alone, a number that is down 43 the previous day.
Cuomo said the state is believed to be on the other side of the curve as he indicted the infection rate was on the decline.
With hospitalizations spiraling out of control last month, Central Park became the site of a field hospital after buildings ran out of space to house victims.
The park – which measures up about 1.3 square miles – has also been lined with refrigerated trucks where dead bodies were temporarily stores after morgues reached capacity.
People are seen sitting together in pairs in Central Park. Some were wearing masks while others decided to go without
People turned out to enjoy the sunshine in Central Park on Sunday. Although most stayed 6ft apart, others appeared to be closer
Some New Yorkers are seen perched on park benches, walking with pets and enjoying a takeout drink in the sunshine
Families are seen enjoying the popular tourist destination amid the pandemic
People are seen walking in Central Park on Sunday. Some went with their families and others walked their dogs
Families were seen taking a spin around the park on Sunday. Some appear in front a sign warning people to social distance
New York Governor Cuomo said on Sunday that the state is over the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak
‘We showed that we can control the beast and when you close down, you can actually slow that infection rate, but this is only halftime,’ Cuomo warned in his daily briefing.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has urged people in the city to report others who are not complying with social distancing guidelines.
He said take a photo and text it to 311-692. It’s similar to other places in the world – such as Dubai, UAE where residents have been asked to use a police app to report those breaking the social distancing rules.
However some people claimed that asking people to ‘snitch’ on fellow citizens was it was ‘un-American’.
Cuomo also said Sunday that officials are preparing to launch a state-wide antibody testing survey this week to help determine the true scale of the outbreak.
Two people are pictured in Central Park on Sunday surrounded by blossom trees
Sun seekers brought blankets and deck chairs to the park on Sunday, lapping up the spring temperatures
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has urged people in the city to report others who are not complying with social distancing guidelines. Many people in New York made sure they were keeping their distance from others
Meanwhile de Blasio has pleaded with President Trump for a bailout.
He continues to ask Trump to push for a $7.5billion federal bailout for New York City, which has taken a multi-billion dollar blow to its bottom line due to the coronavirus.
De Blasio made the case for the $7.5billion last week, which is the amount of tax revenue that the city projects it will lose because of the pandemic.
‘That lost revenue should be replaced dollar for dollar by the federal government. The federal government can do it,’ he said.
‘No New Yorker is responsible for this horrible crisis, but New York has borne the brunt, we have been the epicenter. When you look at the impact here, anybody with a heart would recognize that the federal government has to come to the rescue,’ de Blasio said.
He said that the $2.3trillion CARES Act stimulus package contained just $1.4 billion in ‘indirect aid’ to New York City.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has urged people in the city to report others who are not complying with social distancing guidelines
