During his COVID-19 briefing Thursday, Cuomo said the regional approach won\u2019t mean each state takes the same steps at the same time. But it will entail the governors and other key officials communicating with each other so their actions do not conflict or harm neighboring states.<\/p>\n
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy concurred during his Thursday briefing, saying the partnership will address three key areas.<\/p>\n
First and foremost, our responsibility to 9 million residents in New Jersey,\u201d Murphy said. \u201cThat\u2019s job number one. The second ring out is coordination, exchanging of best ideas, harmonization with our regional neighbors. And then, finally, it is a continuation of a strong cooperation with the federal government and the Trump administration.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Cuomo said that his decision to extend New York\u2019s shutdown order was in coordination with plans other states in the consortium have in place.<\/p>\n
The northeastern states aren’t the only ones keeping the shutdown in place until May 15. Earlier this week, California and the District of Columbia announced similar extensions.<\/p>\n
NYRA Postpones Belmont Park Opening<\/h2>\n
Also on Thursday, the New York Racing Association announced that the Belmont Park spring\/summer meet, which was originally set to start next Friday, will not start on time because of the COVID-19 crisis.<\/p>\n
Belmont is located just outside of New York City\u2019s Queens borough on Long Island.<\/p>\n
In a statement, NYRA President and CEO Dave O\u2019Rourke said the organization is working with state gaming and health officials to determine when live racing could start at the track.<\/p>\n
“The health and safety of our racing community is paramount, and any decisions or necessary adjustments to the racing schedule and operations must reflect that priority,\u201d<\/strong> he said.<\/p>\nLive horse racing cards have not been held in New York since March 15 at Aqueduct. At that time, NYRA made the decision to suspend racing after a Belmont track worker tested positive for COVID-19. In the meantime, Aqueduct has since been transformed into a makeshift hospital to help deal with the dramatic rise in patients that overwhelmed New York City\u2019s hospitals.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Rourke also said racing officials will discuss with the state and other stakeholders on a decision when to run the Belmont Stakes. Currently, the third leg of racing\u2019s Triple Crown is scheduled to run on June 6. However, the Kentucky Derby has been pushed back to Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs, and earlier this month, officials at Pimlico Race Course<\/a> announced the Preakness will be rescheduled.<\/p>\nThe Belmont is scheduled, for now, for June 6.<\/p>\n
“The Belmont Stakes is a New York institution and American tradition,” said O’Rourke. “We are committed to running the race in 2020 and aim to deliver an announcement in the very near future.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday he has extended the statewide shutdown because of the COVID-19 outbreak to May 15. The Governor looks to work with his neighbors in New England and the Mid-Atlantic to coordinate a reopening strategy. The closure means that the state\u2019s commercial casinos and racinos will remain closed until […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":133320,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Gov. Andrew Cuomo Extends New York COVID-19 Shutdown to May 15<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n