Coronavirus Vaccine Updates: 'Open Boulevards' program to expand outdoor activities in NYC

NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York City's Open Streets program is expanding -- to allow more space for outdoor dining and community activities.

Several streets in all five boroughs have now become car-free "Open Boulevards" on weekends.

Mayor Bill de Blasio's Open Streets program has transformed miles of restaurant-heavy streets into open space.

The mayor says "Open Boulevards" will feature cultural activities, community-based programming, landscaping and art installations.

Here are more of today's headlines:

NJ lifts outdoor mask mandate, while indoor rules remain

Gov. Phil Murphy announced New Jersey will be lifting its outdoor mask mandate for all people in public spaces, while indoor rules remain in place.

Students will be back full-time for 2021-22 school year

All New Jersey students will be back for full-time and in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year, Gov. Murphy announced.

NJ lifts state travel advisory

Effective Monday, travelers to New Jersey are no longer required to quarantine as the travel advisory has been lifted.

Radio City to be at full capacity for fully vaccinated in June

The Tribeca Film Festival is set to open June 9th at the Pier 76 Park with a showing of Lin Manuel Miranda's "In The Heights." Closing night will feature a red carpet performance June 19th at Radio City Music Hall at full capacity, with a 100% vaccinated, mask-free audience.

NYC Marathon returning

The New York City Marathon will return this year on November 7 at 60% capacity with 33,000 runners, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday. Health and safety guidelines will be in place, subject to change as race day approaches. Registration opens June 8.

NY state to adopt CDC mask guidelines

Effective Wednesday, New York state will adopt the CDC's new mask and social distancing guidance for vaccinated people, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced.

NYPD adding more officers to transit patrol as subway resumes 24/7 service

As New York City resumes 24/7 subway service - and amid a recent spike in subway crime - the city is adding 250 more NYPD officers to patrol its transit system, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. The 250 additional officers, along with 2,500 already deployed and 500 added earlier, makes this the largest NYPD transit deployment in over 20 years, the mayor said.

Cuomo called out by 6 county executives to adopt CDC mask guidelines in New York

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has yet to respond to the six county executives who are calling on the state to adopt the CDC's latest mask guidance. The bipartisan group of county leaders are asking the governor to follow through on what he's said all along about following the science.

Target no longer requiring masks for fully vaccinated customers, workers

Target is joining a list of businesses that say fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in their stores, following the CDC's recommendation. Target, like Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Costco before it, says the policy only changes if local regulations allow it.

Full-time subway service resumes, restaurant limits start to ease

Slowly but surely, pandemic-mandated restrictions are easing at restaurants and on mass transit in New York City. Starting today, the city is lifting its midnight curfew for outdoor dining, and for the first time since May 6, 2020 NYC subways remained open overnight.

What the new CDC mask guidance means for dining out

The news that the Centers for Disease Control amended its COVID-19 mask guidance for people who are fully vaccinated has raised new questions about what this means for patrons at bars and restaurants. The agency said Thursday that "fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance."

CDC recommends students keep masks on at school for the remainder of the year

The CDC is recommending that school districts across the country continue mask protocols at least through the end of this school year.

This comes days after the agency announced that fully vaccinated Americans can return to nearly normal mask-free lives with few exceptions.

Mask guidance in the Tri-State area

New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

How to get the vaccine in NYC, Tri-State area

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus

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