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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
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  • State-mandated COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in New York, with few exceptions.
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the change, "effective immediately," on Tuesday.
  • 70% of New Yorkers have got at least one COVID-19 vaccine, which was Cuomo's requirement for reopening.
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Coming out to a standing ovation in Manhattan's One World Trade Center, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that "we can now return to life as we know it" because the state hit his required threshold of a 70% first-dose vaccination rate.

Earlier this month, Cuomo said "virtually all" COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted once 70% of New Yorkers received their first shot.

Masks will still be required on public transit, but otherwise, New York's landscape of state mandates will be drastically diminished.

Cuomo said restrictions will be "relaxed as of today, effective immediately."

"Remember June 15th. Remember today, because it is the day that New York rose again," Cuomo said, adding that June 15 is also his late father and former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo's birthday.

Read more: What it's like to be a Black Republican, according to Sen. Tim Scott and others

Counties and localities can still implement their own restrictions, and Cuomo added that New York will still observe CDC guidance. Individual businesses can also keep their own mask policies.

The announcement did not provide any clarity on mask and social distancing measures in schools.

New York's vaccination effort has had the most success in regions surrounding New York City and to the north, with Long Island and the Capital Region around Albany having the highest rate of single doses administered.

The Tuesday event was a joyous one for Cuomo, who hearkened back to his COVID-19 briefings when he would announce which day it was. Cuomo is now besieged by multiple scandals, but he has remained in office, passed a budget, and continues to tout his pandemic response as the impeachment investigation and others linger on.

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