ALBANY - New York will allow summer day camps to open starting June 29, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.
The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether summer camps would be allowed to open as the state looks to reopen businesses that were shuttered in late March due to the coronavirus.
Cuomo said as the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths decline, summer day camps can start to open at the end of the month. He said no decision has been made on sleepaway camps.
"We’re doing very, very well when it comes to dealing with the COVID-19 crisis," Cuomo said Tuesday.
So, he added, "Summer day camps are going to open on June 29. We're still reviewing the situation with sleepaway camps."
The state has yet to release its safety guidelines for summer camps, but they have been preparing a series of steps to keep the children and staff safe.
Those are likely to include a limited number of campers, attempts at social distancing, the wearing of masks when need be and stronger sanitary measures.
Upstate New York is largely in Phase 2 of a four-phase reopening plan, and recreation, such as camps, fall into Phase 4.
Western New York entered Phase 2 on Tuesday, and the Capital Region is expected to do so Wednesday.
But by setting a specific date for summer camps, it give them time to plan to open.
The YMCA of Greater Rochester, for example, said it plans to open June 29. It will give each camper a health screening each morning and require campers will stay in groups of 10.
Camps said they were awaiting state guidance on their next steps. They have stressed that as businesses reopen, workers need places for their children this summer.
"Camp is essential for childcare in NY during the summer months as well as beneficial for children’s mental well-being, and we are thrilled that (Cuomo) has recognized the importance of these small businesses," the New York State Camp Directors Association said.
"We are hopeful the Governor will consider opening NY overnight camps as they provide similar benefits for children and parents. Our camp operators are now anxiously awaiting the immediate release of guidance by the Department of Health so camps can continue to plan for opening at the end of the month."
More: Will New York have summer camps? Here's the latest on whether they will open
More: Will there be summer camps in New York? What state leaders are considering
Joseph Spector is the New York state editor for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany
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