Pier 45 at Hudson River Park in New York on Sunday.Credit…Kholood Eid for The New York Times
Those looking to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start to summer in the United States, were confronted by the difficulties of how to gather during a pandemic as the country inched closer to the terrible milestone of 100,000 deaths.
Local authorities took varied approaches to regulations, and some communities found creative ways to adjust their celebrations, as beaches — including those in New York City — remained closed and restrictions on public gatherings held.
But elsewhere in the country, crowds flocked to the beaches and parks that were open for the holiday weekend. While many maintained social distancing, others partied with abandon.
A video clip taken at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri and posted by a local television anchor showed partygoers packing a pool. The images quickly spread on social media, and by Monday they had been viewed millions of times.
President Trump and the first lady were set to observe Memorial Day on Monday with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a visit to Fort McHenry in Baltimore “to honor the American heroes who have sacrificed their lives serving in the U.S. Armed Forces,” a White House statement read.
But the president’s visit to Baltimore, a city he once called “disgusting, rat and rodent infested,” has already drawn protest, and the city’s mayor asked him to rethink the visit. On Sunday, President Trump also came under fire for playing a round of golf at his club in Virginia as the death toll from the coronavirus climbed. A small group of protesters met his motorcade as it pulled up to the entrance, with one person holding a sign that read: “Liar.”
Elsewhere in the world, measures to ease lockdowns have continued at a gradual pace, with the approaching tourist season a focus for much of Europe as it takes strides back toward public life. Germany allowed hotels, public pools and campgrounds to reopen in several states on Monday, a move welcomed by many as a chance to help revive the tourism industry.
Parts of Spain that were affected particularly badly by the coronavirus, including Barcelona and Madrid, took significant steps toward easing restrictions, with outdoor dining terraces reopening for the first time in months in both cities.
And Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan on Monday announced an end to the national state of emergency, but called on the public to continue taking measures to defend against infection.
“We can’t continue to live and work in the way we’ve done until now,” he said.
