Hope for In-Person Graduations Returns

Hope returns for graduates of the Class of 2020 to have a close to normal graduation ceremony after all.  That  word came Sunday afternoon from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.  The announcement came at Cuomo's daily press briefing. The Governor said that New York will now permit outdoor, social-distanced graduations with a limit of 150 people.  Those can begin on June 26.

Sunday's announcement comes on the heels of word on Thursday that graduation ceremonies could take place as drive-thru events.  But Cuomo said that with the number of new cases of COVID-19 continuing to drop the restrictions were able to be cut back

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Despite a limit of 150 people who can attend graduation many schools may have to hold several different ceremonies.  With relatives and friends attending the 150 total persons limit can be reached quickly.

According to New York State figures released on Sunday 781 people tested positive for the Coronavirus out of over 60,000 tested.  That amount was the lowest reported since mid-March.

In Broome County progress has been made.  Outdoor dining began to be permitted in the County on Friday.  Haircuts also were permitted for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began to result in closures.