The governor of New York today extended the quarantine until June 13 with the exception of five less populated areas of the state. The U.S. economic capital has recorded more than 20,000 deaths from the pandemic.

The five areas excluded from the extension of the restriction are allowed to resume but gradually specific economic activities.

With today’s decision to extend the lockdown, New York City faces an uncertain future.

“I’m bored to tears,” said Ronda Glass, 80, who would normally be involved with the charity she volunteers for. “I just hope we get back to something that reminds us of normal life pretty quickly,” she added.

But that seems unlikely as the mayor of the city, Bill de Blasio, says any decision to relax the measures may be taken before mid-June. State officials have also warned New Yorkers that they will have to endure the hot summer months without access to the huge popular beaches.

They have also announced that the pools will remain closed and insist that it is still too early to say whether the schools will have to reopen in September.

The health crisis has sparked inequality in one of the most multicultural cities in the United States, with the African-American and Latin American communities paying a disproportionately high price for Covid-19 deaths.

Hundreds of thousands of people have also been left unemployed in the city, which will need federal help to cope with the crisis.

New Yorkers who fear their city will never be the same again find solace in the fact that “The Big Apple” has managed to overcome other tragedies in the past, such as 9/11 or Hurricane Sandy.