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Stories and information in our region on the COVID-19 pandemic.

MTA May Implement Passenger Temperature Checks; Conn. Businesses Adapt To Social Distancing

Mary Altaffer
/
AP
An employee at Fortina restaurant disinfects a table before the opening of outdoor dining in Stamford. Restaurants began offering service in outdoor dining areas Wednesday as part of the first phase of Connecticut's statewide reopening.

Here’s the latest on the coronavirus outbreak in the region:

  • The MTA is considering limiting capacity on Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North through the use of a reservation system. They’re also considering taking passengers’ temperatures.

  • In Connecticut, there were 23 deaths. New cases dropped to 314.

  • In New York, deaths continue to stay below 150 for the fourth day in a row. There was a slight uptick in new cases, with 1,525 statewide, 160 on Long Island and 115 in Westchester County. 

  • New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says online learning is not a substitute for classroom teaching but that students need to be prepared for any future disruptions in learning. This would include making sure children have access to computers and the internet. 

  • The city of Long Beach will reopen its boardwalk Thursday for everyone, but the city joins a growing number of Long Island communities that will restrict its beaches for residents only. Officials say it’s to prevent an influx of people from New York City over the Memorial Day weekend.

  • Communities in Connecticut want to find ways to safely allow for outdoor dining and retail space in the era of social distancing. The city of Norwalk has installed concrete barriers to give businesses space to expand onto sidewalks.

  • The University of Connecticut will try out a new admissions policy making standardized tests optional. UConn officials say it’s designed to attract otherwise talented students who have trouble taking the SAT or ACT standardized tests. 

  • The U.S. Coast Guard Academy Class of 2020 virtually celebrated its graduation on Wednesday. The traditional in-person ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic. The Academy celebrated its 40th anniversary of women joining the service. One hundred women graduated in the Class of 2020, the largest female contingent in Coast Guard Academy history. 

Read the latest on WSHU’s coronavirus coverage here.

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A native Long Islander, J.D. is WSHU's managing editor. He also hosts the climate podcast Higher Ground. J.D. reports for public radio stations across the Northeast, is a journalism educator and proud SPJ member.
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