简体中文
In a press conference today, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced orders for residents to stay at home amid rising COVID-19 concerns. The Governor was careful to avoid terms like “shelter in place” during the otherwise typically blunt presser, but noted a “100% Workforce Reduction,” with the exclusive of services deemed essential. The rules take effect Sunday evening.
“This is the most drastic action we can take,” Cuomo said, following the yesterday’s lead of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Cuomo went on to note that things like “solitary exercise” would be excluded from the ruling, but the state will be aggressive in making sure that citizens adhere to the rules. Mass transit will remain operational and food delivers will still be allowed.
“These are legal provisions,” Cuomo said. “They will be enforced.” The state will issue fines for those ‘non-essential’ business that fail to abide by the decision. “I am not kidding about this,” he added. There is currently no plan in place to penalize individuals for gathering socially.
Cuomo noted some fairly staggering numbers about the virus’s spread. There are currently some 2,900 cases in the state — all have been diagnosed at some point over the last 16 days. Thirty-five people have died from the virus, primarily senior citizens. The state, which has already, begun manufacturing its own hand sanitizer, will be supporting local industry that can create useful healthcare products like masks.
New York City, meanwhile, was has already hit capacity at many hospitals, is relaxing regulations for patients numbers, while looking to schools in the SUNY and CUNY system, along with the Javits Center convention center. Cuomo will also be putting in place a 90 day moratorium on all commercial and residential evictions, a sweeping move for the home of the biggest city in the U.S.
