New York governor Cuomo extends stay-at-home lockdown order until May 28

Governor Andrew Cuomo extended the coronavirus lockdown in New York City until May 28.

Cuomo said New York's stay-at-home order would last to May 28 unless the city meets guidelines relating to death rates.

"NY on PAUSE is extended to May 28 for regions that don't begin reopening today, but as soon as a region hits its benchmark, it comes online immediately - it does not have to wait until May 28," Cuomo explained.

"City, town and county beaches may open as well on Friday of Memorial Day weekend, as long as they fully enforce the minimum rules," he asserted, adding,"they may impose additional conditions."

"If local governments don't enforce these rules, the beaches will be closed," the New York governor warned.

"As a region we have established a joint agreement on beaches in NY, NJ, CT and DE. State beaches will open Friday of Memorial Day weekend with strict precautions.

"Beaches will be at 50 per cent capacity and masks will be required when social distance not possible. Staff will enforce," he said.

"If you live in a region that's in Phase 1 of reopening, retail businesses can open for curbside pickup or in-store pickup," the New York governor said, adding, "As part of Phase One of reopening, residential and commercial construction can resume in the regions that have met the benchmarks."

New York reported 132 new confirmed coronavirus fatalities in the last 24 hours taking the total number of deaths to over 22,000. The United States has become the epicenter of the virus with over 80,000 casualties and 1.3 million infected cases.