<p><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/60901de934af8d001859a8c4-2250/new-york-broadway-reopening.jpg" border="0" alt="new york broadway reopening" data-mce-source="ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images" data-mce-caption="A Broadway sign is pictured on March 12, 2020 in New York City."></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday that Broadway shows and a slew of other venues will be close to fully reopened by May 19.</p><p>Cuomo described the initiative as a "major reopening" and that "most capacity restrictions" will be lifted across industries, including theaters, gyms, museums, restaurants, bars, amusement parks, and shops.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-mta-removed-benches-to-prevent-homeless-from-sleeping-2021-2">Subway service</a> will also be restored to 24 hours a day on May 17, coinciding with late-night curfews being lifted for bars and restaurants.</p><p>Broadway venues have been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-state-of-emergency-cuomo-address-coronavirus-outbreak-2020-3#on-march-16-cuomo-announced-that-new-york-new-jersey-and-connecticut-would-ban-gatherings-of-50-people-or-more-5">closed since March 2020</a>, but the return of shows will likely take some time because they need to be recast and leftover capacity restrictions may also cause hurdles.</p><p>In his announcement on Monday in the Big Apple, Cuomo said Broadway theaters will not need to observe six foot social distancing requirements if they require guests to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.</p><p>A small show from Tony Award winners Nathan Lane and Savion Glover opened for a crowd of 150 on Broadway in early April, but otherwise, venues have remained shuttered as unions and theater owners continue figuring out how to get performances back up and running.</p><p>As his administration has been rocked by <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-cuomo-scandals-summary-sexual-harassment-nursing-homes-impeachment-resignation-2021-3">multiple ongoing scandals</a> in recent months, Cuomo has ramped up his reopening efforts. </p><p>Restaurant capacities are going up, and major sports teams such as the New York Rangers, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets have been allowing fans into arenas for the first time in recent weeks with either proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test.</p><p>Cuomo <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-cuomo-press-conference-refuse-resign-bowing-cancel-culture-2021-3">once again refused to resign</a> on Monday despite calls from most of New York's congressional delegation and ongoing investigations into his alleged sexual misconduct.</p><p>"I did nothing wrong, period, and I'm not resigning,"</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-is-broadway-back-return-date-cuomo-announcement-ny-2021-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story »</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kosher-passover-coca-cola-bottles-yellow-cap-bottle-soda-retail-food-drink-jewish-jews-2017-4">Why some Coca-Cola bottles have a yellow cap</a></p>
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