Memorial Day: New York governor warns beaches will be at full 50 per cent capacity by 10am

Social distancing measures will be enforced and face masks encouraged

New York governor Andrew Cuomo has warned that beaches in the state will be at full capacity by 10am over the Memorial Day weekend.

Last week Mr Cuomo announced that the state’s beaches would be reopened for the holiday, but added that they would only run at 50 per cent capacity.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the governor said that he expects the beaches to reach that capacity early, due to high demand.

“There is such a demand in the New York City area to get to a beach, to get some respite,” Mr Cuomo said.

“Those beaches may reach capacity at 10 or 11 o’clock in the morning,” the governor warned. “That’s something to take into consideration. You don’t want to take that ride and get all the way out there and find out the beaches are already closed.”

Although beaches in the state will be reopened, the governor confirmed that there will be limitations on what residents will be allowed to do while visiting.

He confirmed that group activities, such as volleyball, will not be allowed, and added that all visitors will have to adhere to social distancing rules.

Face masks will be required for all staff, and visitors will have to wear coverings if they are in an area where social distancing is not possible.

All social spaces, including pavilions and picnic benches, will be closed, alongside concession stands.

Swimming will be allowed at most beaches in the state, but will be banned in New York City, according to mayor Bill de Blasio.

During the press conference, Mr Cuomo also suggested that summer camps might not be reopened in the state this year, after an inflammatory illness similar to toxic shock syndrome, has afflicted more than 100 children, according to Gothamist.

At least 157 children have been affected by the unknown syndrome in the state, and Mr Cuomo said officials want to learn more about it before they give summer camps the green light to reopen.

“Until we know how widespread this issue is, I wouldn’t send my children to day camp,” he said.

“And if I wouldn’t send my children to day camp, I can’t ask someone else to send their children to day camp,” the governor added.

According to a tracking project hosted by Johns Hopkins University, there are now more than 1.5 million people who have tested positive for coronavirus in the US. The death toll has reached at least 94,994.