Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that New York will remove nearly all pandemic restrictions once a 70% vaccination rate is achieved.

Cuomo says the state is in a great position in terms of COVID-19 recovery.

Right now, the state vaccination rate is 68.6%. Cuomo says as soon as it hits 70%, he will lift almost all of the restrictions.

"Almost there, but this isn't horseshoes. We want to be at 70%, 1.4% to go," says Cuomo. "Then we can lift the capacity restrictions, social distancing, the hygiene protocols, the health screenings, the potential tracing, masks will only be required as recommended by the CDC."

Cuomo says the goal is to vaccinate students 12 to 17 while they are still in school and target ZIP codes with lower vaccination rates. Three ZIP codes in Nassau County with low vaccination rates are Greenvale, New Hyde Park and Hempstead. New Hyde Park includes a commercial area and Hempstead takes in Hofstra University.

The governor predicts that New York could hit 70% in about eight days. He says the Empire State Building will be lit up in the state colors when the goal is reached.