Governor Cuomo Limits Private Parties to 10, Orders Bars and Restaurants to Close at 10 p.m.

To stop the spread in response to rising COVID-19  numbers in New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo is putting a limit on private parties and closing businesses early.

"We know indoor gatherings and parties are a major source of COVID spread," Cuomo tweeted. "To slow the spread, NYS will limit indoor gatherings at private residences to 10 people."

The governor is also requiring any business  with a state liquor license, including bars and restaurants, to close at 10pm. Gyms must also shut down at 10pm.

The new statewide rules will take effect Friday, 10pm.

While New York's COVID-19 positivity rate remains the third-lowest in the nation, we continue to see increases in both new positive cases and hospital admissions, demonstrating we are not immune to the surge we are seeing throughout the rest of the nation," Governor Cuomo said.

New York has the third lowest COVID-19 positivity rate in the country, slightly ahead of Maine and Vermont. Central and western New York have the most positive test results in the state.

Erie and Onondaga County are considered micro cluster area and have both been placed in Yellow Zones with several restrictions in place.

536,145 total individuals have tested positive for the coronavirus in New York. 32 people died Monday due to COVID-19, bringing the total deaths to 26,005 in the state.