Houses of worship in regions that are currently in the second phase of reopening can begin holding services, but with caps on their occupancy, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday. 

Gatherings will be limited to 25 percent of a building's overall occupancy. 

What You Need To Know


  • Houses of worship can once again begin services.

  • They will be limited to 25 percent occupancy of a building.

  • The move comes as infections from coronavirus have been sharply reduced.
​

The move takes effect immediately and comes as the infection rate from coronavirus has declined faster than expected, Cuomo said. 

"We didn't just flatten the curve," Cuomo said, "we bent the curve."

Churches, temples, mosques will have to develop their own plans for social distancing. 

Hospitalizations from COVID-19 are at their lowest level since March, while 35 people have died from the virus in the last 24 hours, representing yet another steady decline of the fatality rate.

Most regions of the state are currently in phase 2 of the economic reopening, which is sending office workers back to their jobs and opening retail businesses to in-store customers. Last week, the state also began to allow restaurants to serve customers outdoors with appropriate social distancing guidelines in place. 

Houses of worship in May were allowed to conduct services of no more than 10 people or hold services in parking lots and drive-in movie theaters.