Since the pandemic started, Western New York residents and people of New York State have been wondering when things will get back to normal? The first sign of that may be on the horizon.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made a huge announcement on Monday morning when he held his daily briefing on the pandemic and other news around the state.

Cuomo announced that the state will be having a major reopening starting on May 19th.

What does that mean though? Will things go back to normal? Yes and no. There will still be social distancing guidelines to follow, but according to Governor Cuomo, most capacity restrictions will end.

Cuomo said that they will continue to follow the CDC's recommendation of six feet of social distancing and that could impact some businesses when it comes to capacity. Most places will go back to no capacity limit, however.

“Beginning Wednesday, May 19 most capacity restrictions will end across the tri-state area,” Gov. Cuomo said. “That includes retail stores, food service, gyms, fitness centers, amusement parks, and family entertainment centers, hair salons, barbershops, offices, etc. No capacity restrictions on all of those activities.”

A reminder that the outdoor food and beverage curfew ends on May 17th, while the indoor food and beverage curfew ends on May 31st. Residential gathering can increase to 50 on May 19th, as well.

This announcement comes with the same date as Connecticut, which said business restrictions would end on May 19th as well.

Today is a huge step in getting back to normal, although the pandemic is still ongoing, here's to hoping we don't go back to what we dealt with in 2020.

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