Coronavirus Restrictions Loosened In Central Queens 'Red Zone'

KEW GARDENS, QUEENS — Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday he is loosening pandemic-related restrictions in a swath of Central Queens, paving the way for schools and businesses to reopen.

The Central Queens "red zone" — which includes parts of Forest Hills, Kew Gardens and Kew Gardens Hills — has been downgraded to a "yellow zone" after fewer than 3 percent of coronavirus tests came back positive over a 10-day period, Cuomo said Wednesday.

The "orange zone" that bordered the area has also been classified as a yellow zone.

Under the "yellow zone" designation, schools can open with mandatory weekly testing of students and teachers, restaurants may offer indoor and outdoor dining with a maximum of four people per table, non-essential businesses can reopen and gatherings of up to 25 people can resume.

Cuomo enacted the shutdowns in Central Queens at the start of the month, after data showed an increase in the rate of residents testing positive for the coronavirus.

During the last week of September, the positivity rate there exceeded 4 percent. That rate has since fallen to 2.5 percent, Cuomo said Wednesday.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday called Central Queens a "good example" to other red and orange zones in New York City.

"Those numbers have gotten substantially better," de Blasio said. "So, that's an area that we're pleased about."

Still, the city is continuing to increase access to COVID-19 testing in Central Queens, with new sites including the Kew Gardens Hills public library, Willow Lake Playground and Annadale Playground.

Patch editor Matt Troutman contributed reporting.