Statue of Liberty reopens to the relief of New York City tourists

NEW YORK, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The Statue of Liberty in New York City reopened Sunday, officials said, despite the ongoing government shutdown.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday that the state would pay $61,600 a day to fund the National Park Service to reopen the statue.

Cuomo said that the statue's closure was negatively affecting local businesses.

The statue has been closed since the partial government began Oct. 1.

The news came as a relief to many tourists, WINS Radio reported.