Cuomo shuts down New York State

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ALBANY, NY — Taking what he called the most drastic step available to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced an executive order compelling 100 percent of non-essential workers to stay home.

He said the action is directly related to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 in hospitals.

"The rate of increase of the number of cases [coming into the hospitals] portends a total overwhelming of our hospital system," he said in a press conference. "We're going to put out an executive order today: New York State on pause—policies that assure uniform safety for everyone. We need everyone to be safe, otherwise no one can be safe."

"We've studied all the other countries, we've talked to people all across the globe about what they did, what worked, what doesn't work, and that has all informed this policy."

Workers can work from home, but only exempt business can have employees report to work. Enforcement will being Sunday night. Exemptions from the order will include shipping, media, warehousing, grocery and food production, pharmacies, healthcare providers, utilities, banks and related financial institutions.

Cuomo also said the greatest need facing the state healthcare system right now is ventilators, and he is asking medical offices that may be closed right now if they have ventilators to sell or rent them to the state under a NY Department of Health order.

He said the state next week will order all elective sugeries to be canceled to provide more beds for hospitals. The state is also recruiting more medical personel from retired healthcare workers and health professionals in training programs.

The state is working with the Army Corp of Engineers to create temporary facilities, perhaps at places such as the Javits Center in New York City.

Four states working together

Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf have teamed up to pass similar rules regarding social distancing and slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Beginning on March 21 at 8:00 pm, all barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing parlors, nail salons, hair removal services, and related personal care services in the four states will be closed the public. The governors say these services cannot be provided while maintaining social distance.

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COVID-19, Andre Cuomo, New York State

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