De Blasio says Phase 4 reopening of cultural venues in NYC may be delayed

Some of the Big Apple’s biggest attractions including leading cultural venues and shopping malls may have to wait longer to reopen from the coronavirus shutdown, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday.

New York City is the only region in the state that has not entered Phase Four of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s reopening plan — and it has one of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates.

Monday is the earliest the city could move to the fourth phase that includes low-risk indoor and outdoor arts and entertainment like the Bronx Zoo, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Aquarium as well as media production and malls. The Met announced Wednesday it will reopen Aug. 29.

Cuomo has already ruled on other aspects of the phase such as allowing outdoor professional sports without fans, and several colleges and universities have decided not to restart indoor classes and activities. The governor will decide on the last component of Phase Four — pre-K-to-grade 12 schools — by next month.

“Phase Four is being deliberated right now between the city and the state,” de Blasio said at a City Hall press briefing, adding that a final decision was expected by Friday.

“We’re looking at this national reality of the uptick and looking at it very soberly. We got to decide how we feel about different pieces of Phase Four and if we’re really ready for Monday or for a different approach or different timeline,” he said.

“I’m not going to be shocked if we have a defined timeline for delay or we say, ‘Hey, this piece is just going to have to wait until we get further information,'” he said.

Cuomo has ultimate authority over the timeline and is expected to address the matter this week.