Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Friday stopped short of using the words "shelter in place," but urged people to stay inside as much as possible and mandated non-essential businesses to either close or institute work-from-home policies beginning Sunday at 8 p.m.
Grocery stores, food takeout and delivery, pharmacies, medical services, utilities, and public transportation will remain in operation, as they are "essential," the governor said. He also ordered all nail spas, hair salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, and similar businesses to close as of 8 p.m. on Saturday. He had already closed gyms, theaters, and casinos, and restricted restaurants to takeout and delivery only. Official list of essential services.
For "non-vulnerable populations," all gatherings "of any size for any reason" are canceled until further notice, the governor announced. Use of public transportation should be on an "absolutely necessary" basis. Those who are sick should leave their houses only to obtain medical care, "and only after a tele-health visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health." People should limit outdoor recreation to non-contact activities, and should still practice social distancing.
For vulnerable populations, including senior citizens ages 70 and up, the governor mandated they stay indoors, wear masks when around other people, prescreen all visitors and aides by taking their temperature, cease visits to houses where multiple people are living, and go outdoors for solitary exercise only. They should refrain from using public transportation whenever possible.
"These provisions will be enforced. These are not helpful hints," Governor Cuomo said. "This is not if you really want to be a great citizen. These are legal provisions; they will be enforced. There will be a civil fine and mandatory closure for any business that isn't in compliance. Your actions can affect my health — that's where we are."
He called his sweeping new mandates "New York State on PAUSE" — meaning "Policies that Assure Uniform Safety for Everyone."
"This is the most drastic action we can take," he said.
New York State had 7,102 positive cases as of Friday morning, with 35 deaths statewide. It is the most affected state in the country, but Governor Cuomo said New York is testing at a much higher rate than others — higher, even, than China and South Korea, he said.
Suffolk's cases had climbed to 459 as of Friday, according to the county health commissioner, Dr. Gregson Pigott. The virus is widespread in Suffolk, County Executive Steve Bellone said Friday afternoon, and is not only affecting the older residents seen as the most vulnerable. People in their 40s and 50s account for more than half of all cases, according to Dr. Pigott, and there are about 50 cases among people in their 20s, and about 50 more among people in their 30.
The focus, the governor said, is on preventing the state's health care system from being overwhelmed. He said within 45 days, there could be a shortage of 50,000 hospital beds or more, so the Army Corps of Engineers is working with the state to identify and build auxiliary medical spaces. Regionally, Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead has announced it will explore using the shuttered McGann-Mercy Catholic High School, also in Riverhead, as a satellite facility if the need arises, and it has already leased the school property for employee parking, according to The Suffolk Times.
The state also needs to find at least 30,000 more ventilators to address anticipated needs, Governor Cuomo said.
"Ventilators are to this war what missiles were to World War II," he said. "Rosie the Riveter, we need ventilators. That is the key piece of equipment."
His staff has also tapped nursing schools and medical schools to send their students into the field, and has put out a call to retired doctors and nurses to return to action. He also called upon dentists, clinics, and other medical facilities that are currently closed to share their supplies of masks and gowns with their local hospitals. The state has also made financial incentives available for businesses with the capability to branch out into the production of masks, gowns, and gloves.