New York City plans to fully reopen on July 1, Bill de Blasio says

New York City plans to fully reopen on July 1, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.

“Our plan is to fully reopen New York City on July 1,” de Blasio told MSNBC.

“We are ready for stores to open, for business to open, offices, theaters, full strength,” he said.

-BNO Newsroom (@BNODesk) April 29, 2021

De Blasio cited strong coronavirus vaccination numbers in the city as a reason for the reopening.

As of Wednesday, more than 6.3 million shots had been administered in the city, according to NYC Health. Nearly 2.4 million people there have been fully vaccinated, the agency added.

De Blasio’s announcement comes a day after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that seating in bars in New York City would resume on May 3.

Cuomo added that the mandatory midnight closing time for outdoor bars and restaurants would end on May 17, and for indoor bars and restaurants on May 31.

Cuomo ordered those curfews last year to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.