New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that all non-essential workers must stay home as concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus continue to mount.
Cuomo revealed that the state of New York has over 7,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and that New York will be "put on pause" to stop the spread of the virus. As a result, "all nonessential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason" will be banned until further notice. While he stopped short of calling the situation a shutdown, Cuomo confirmed the executive order will go into effect on Sunday. "These provisions will be enforced," he said during the briefing, held in Albany. "These are not helpful hints."
Of the 7,102 confirmed cases in New York as of Friday morning, 4,408 of them are in New York City. He said that the order "will cause disruption," for which he will "accept full responsibility."
"These are legal provisions. They will be enforced. There will be a civil fine and mandatory closure for any business that is not in compliance," Cuomo added. "Again, your actions can affect my health. That's where we are."
There won't be civil fines for individuals who violate the policy, however. The news comes only a few days after California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered residents to stay home.
Food delivery services and public transportation will continue as normal, Cuomo confirmed. To assist those struggling, he issued a 90-day moratorium on evictions, which will impact both residential and commercial properties. "They're taking very strong, bold steps and I applaud them," said Trump of Cuomo and Newsom's actions.
