In latest Cuomo announcement, New York City isn't close to reopening; spectator sports in last category to return

After last week offering additional guidelines for when the state's ten regions can re-open, Gov. Andrew Cuomo yesterday offered seven more guidelines. The state will monitor four core factors, according to his press release:

New Infections: Based on guidelines from the CDC, regions must have at least 14 days of decline in total net hospitalizations and deaths on a 3-day rolling average. In regions with few COVID cases, the region cannot exceed 15 net new total hospitalizations or 5 new deaths on a 3-day rolling average. In order to monitor the potential spread of infection in a region, a region must have fewer than two new COVID patients admitted per 100,000 residents per day.
Health Care Capacity: Every region must have the health care capacity to handle a potential surge in cases. Regions must have at least 30 percent total hospital and ICU beds available. This is coupled with the new requirement that hospitals have at least 90 days of personal protective equipment stockpiled.
Diagnostic Testing Capacity: Each region must have the capacity to conduct 30 diagnostic tests for every 1,000 residents per month. The state is rapidly expanding capacity statewide to help all regions meet this threshold.
Contact Tracing Capacity: Regions must have a baseline of 30 contact tracers for every 100,000 residents, and additional tracers based on the projected number of cases in the region. The state is currently building an army of contact tracers with Mayor Bloomberg to meet the needs of each region statewide.

New York City unready

As shown in the screenshot below, no region is ready. New York City meets only three of the seven criteria, and Long Island meets only two, while most of the state, outside of Western New York, is closer.

Whatever the improvement, we're still not in good shape. As the New York Times reported:

The governor reported 226 more deaths in the state — the lowest one-day figure since March 28 and down more than 70 percent from early April, when nearly 800 people per day were dying. 

Spectator sports come last

The press release reinforced that major gatherings, including spectator sports, come last:

Businesses considered "more essential" with inherent low risks of infection in the workplace and to customers will be prioritized, followed by other businesses considered "less essential" or those that present a higher risk of infection spread. Regions must not open attractions or businesses that would draw a large number of visitors from outside the local area.

That means that venues like the Barclays Center won't be reopening soon, unless on the very limited notion of events produced solely for broadcast. That suggests that team/arena owners/operators must calculate whether to extend payment to workers.

In Cuomo's press conference yesterday, he outlined how businesses might reopen:

You open businesses first that are most essential and pose the lowest risk, okay? Most essential and the lowest risk. Phase one, we're talking about construction, manufacturing, and select retail with curbside pickup. They are the most essential with the lowest risk. Second phase, professional services, retail, administrative support, real estate. Third phase, restaurant, food services, accommodation. Fourth, arts, entertainment, recreation, education.
Remember, density is not your friend here. Large gatherings are not your friend. That's where the virus tends to spread. That's why those situations would be down at the end.

He stressed uncertainty:

Now, experts, we look to experts, and we expect them to know, so we push them to know. "Answer the question. Tell me when. What's going to happen in September? What's going to happen in December?" Sometimes the answer is, "I don't know." Sometimes that's the honest answer.

Some regions back in June?

The Albany Times-Union reported:

The requirements, though, make it possible that some regions of the state could reopen almost fully by mid- to late June — if they can reach the proper reduced rate of spread of the infectious disease, along with a decline in hospitalizations and an increase in testing.
"You open businesses first that are most essential and pose the lowest risk," Cuomo said, adding that construction businesses and retailers who offer curbside pick-up will be opened during the first phase.