Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced an updated number of cases of COVID-19 in addition to new restrictions to stop the spread of the virus in a briefing this morning.
As of March 20, 32,427 people have been tested state-wise. The state’s number of people infected with coronavirus rose to 7,102, with 4,408 in New York City. Of the people testing positive, 1,255 are hospitalized, and there are 35 deaths.
Cuomo said non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason are cancelled after the federal government discouraged gatherings of more than 10 people this week. In contrast to yesterday’s announcement that said 75% of the non-essential workforce should stay home, he changed the percentage to 100 percent today, ordering every non-essential worker to stay home.
All barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing salons, nail salons, hair removal services and related personal care services will be closed to the public starting Saturday at 8:00 p.m., according to Gov. Cuomo’s announcement.
“I accept full responsibility. If someone is unhappy, if somebody wants to blame someone, or complain about someone, blame me. There is no one else who is responsible for this decision,” said Gov. Cuomo about the limitations for New York.
The governor signed emergency legislation guaranteeing job protection and pay for New Yorkers who have been quarantined as a result of the novel coronavirus on March 18.
Public transportation in New York will still keep running to make sure that medical staff, law enforcement officers and other essential personnel can do their work. For everyone else, it is advised to limit the use of public transportation unless absolutely necessary.
The governor also announced Matilda’s Law for New Yorkers who are older than 70 and those with compromised immune systems, which includes remaining indoors, pre-screening visitors by taking temperature, making it mandatory for visitors to wear masks and advising to stay six feet away from others.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYC Census have reached out to the U.S. Census Bureau to ask for an extension for the 2020 census count. Census can be filled online this year, however, many states had invested in census corps to go door to door and remind people to fill the census in the month of April.
Given that libraries are closing, and census corps won’t be able to function during this time of social distancing, the Mayor is trying to extend the self-response period from June 31 to September.
“From the very beginning, New York City has been fighting COVID-19 with one hand tied behind our back. It is more important than ever for New Yorkers to participate in the 2020 Census to ensure we have the resources that are rightfully ours for the next decade,” said de Blasio.
The Mayor also said in a press conference that he believes that the military is ready to step in, yet they were not ordered to do so by the president. He also questioned President Donald Trump’s decisions during the coronavirus crisis.
Gov. Cuomo had also previously asked for the involvement of the U.S. Military to solve the crisis. He wrote an open letter to the president called, “Andrew Cuomo to President Trump: Mobilize the Military to Help Fight Coronavirus,” that was published in the New York Times on March 15.
