Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued an executive order closing down gyms, movie theaters and casinos across New York State to block spread of the coronavirus. The deadline is 8:00 Monday night. The same rule is being applied in New Jersey and Connecticut. There are now more than 900 confirmed cases in New York State. Seven people have died.
The governor is urging New Yorkers to stay home as much as possible, and to keep six feet away from other people when out in public. Cuomo suggested going to a state park and keeping distance if you go stir crazy.
Cuomo directed all local governments to send half their employees home (minimum) and have them work from home. He asked the same of private businesses. He says only essential businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies should stay open after 8:00 pm. That’s not mandatory yet, but may be ordered later. He asked hospitals to begin plans to cancel elective surgery in order to maintain hospital beds free for corona patients.
Cuomo said first responders should wear masks to protect themselves from the virus. Masks are being supplied to them.
Cuomo called for the federal government to set uniform standards for what should be closed so all states are following the same rules. He said that will avoid a patchwork of states with different regulations. He also called on the federal government to establish emergency hospitals, saying state’s don’t have the resources to do it.
Cuomo says more and more testing labs are coming online around the state and they’ll be able to test 7,000 per day by next week. He repeated the advice not to go to an emergency room if you feel sick, because you might infect other people or be infected yourself. He said call a doctor or your health department first. You need a doctor’s permission to be tested. Cuomo says this is also necessary to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed by a wave of infected persons.