New York (AFP)
More than 70% of adults in New York State have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, allowing the last restrictions to be lifted, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday.
"We have reached 70% vaccination. It is the national goal and we reached it before the hour (...). It means that we can come back to life as we know it", a Cuomo said, announcing that all state restrictions on business or social life were lifted.
New York is the first large American state to announce having crossed this threshold, which President Joe Biden has set himself the goal of having reached by the American national holiday of July 4th.
The state of nearly 20 million inhabitants was at the epicenter of the epidemic in the spring of 2020, with more than 42,000 deaths, including 33,000 in New York itself.
The city and the state as a whole have long been extremely cautious about the virus, lifting the restrictions only very gradually.
"New Yorkers have always been tough, but the past year has proven to what extent," added the elected Democrat, congratulating residents.
To celebrate the event, several buildings and emblematic places of the State will be illuminated from this Tuesday evening in blue and gold, such as the Empire State Building or Niagara Falls, with fireworks in New York Harbor and above the falls.
The day before, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had already announced another form of celebration, with a large parade to honor essential workers on July 7 on Broadway.
Some small states are already achieving higher vaccination rates, starting with Vermont (northeast): its governor, Phil Scott, announced Monday that he had reached the rate of 80% of adults vaccinated, and proclaimed him also the lifting of restrictions as of Tuesday.
© 2021 AFP