COVID Live Updates: Lowest hospitalizations in NY since March, remote-learning option in NJ

NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York had its lowest number of hospitalizations and ICU patients since March 16, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Friday, with the state reporting nine additional deaths.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Play Streets for kids in the city to be able to have some safe fun this summer and also said that while Alternate Side Parking will be suspended next week, it will then resume for the entire month of August.

Meantime, New Jersey Governor Murphy and the state Department of Education released guidance for parents on Friday who choose the all-remote option for their children for the upcoming school year.

Here are more of today's headlines:

NJ REMOTE LEARNING OPTION

Parents in New Jersey will have the option to choose all-remote learning for their children for the upcoming school year. The New Jersey Department of Education released their guidance for parents who choose that option. Governor Phil Murphy said allowing parents the option to choose all-remote learning for their children will help decrease student density within our schools. He said it will also allow classroom spaces to stretch further to ensure proper social distancing for other students and staff. Students will have to abide by the same attendance and length-of-day rules.

NY STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY ISSUES SUMMONSES

The New York State Police and the State Liquor Authority issued 37 summonses to bars and restaurants throughout the state. Governor Cuomo put out the call to local governments and police departments to do their jobs and help enforce regulations.

BLUE JAYS TO PLAY HOME GAMES IN BUFFALO

The displaced Toronto Blue Jays will play in Buffalo, New York, this year amid the pandemic. The Blue Jays said in a statement Friday that the greater part of their home schedule will be played at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, home of the club's Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons. General manager Ross Atkins had previously said that if team could not find a major league park, Buffalo would be their most likely site for home games.

RETURN TO NORMALCY WITH ASP IN NYC

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that while Alternate Side Parking would be suspended next week, it would return the following week. From August 3rd until September 5th, people will need to abide by Alternate Side Parking regulations and move their car on the last day stated on signage.

OPEN PLAY STREETS FOR KIDS IN NYC

The city will offer "Open Play Streets" for kids throughout the five boroughs this summer. They will feature basketball, fisbee, softball, wiffle ball, kickball, giant board games, reading corners, dance classes, crafts making kaleidoscopes, birdhouses, and masks. The mayor said all activities would be done while wearing masks and social distancing would be in place.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio talks about summer programs for youngsters taking place across the city as it reopens.

NYC POOLS, ZOOS REOPEN WITH NEW SAFETY MEASURES

New York City reopened eight public pools and four zoos Friday as the city continues to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last month that three pools would reopen on July 24 with the goal of 15 pools reopening by August, but he announced Thursday that eight pools will be back in business.

WATCH THE SERIES: EYEWITNESS TO A PANDEMIC (Episode 6 below)

Suddenly, the brutal death of George Floyd while in the custody of police officers in Minneapolis filled the streets of a nation with rage and sorrow. New York was no different. Protesters put the fear of the virus aside and took to the streets by the thousands. Abandoning the safety and comfort of social distance, to demand social change.

abc7NY Phase Tracker:

COVID-19 Help, Information. Stimulus and Business Updates

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7 On Your Side Investigates: Up to 4,000 coronavirus cases prevented by NYC contact tracers

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio along with local health experts have repeatedly called contact tracing a key element in preventing another spike of coronavirus in the city.

REOPENING INFORMATION

What's Open, What's Closed

Reopening New York State

Reopening New Jersey

Reopening Connecticut

Total count of NYC, Long Island COVID-19 cases based on patient address