New York has now followed California and is ordering that as of 8 PM Sunday , all state residents stop going to work and stay in their homes unless they are working at jobs considered essential or they need groceries, medicine or gasoline.
Governor Andrew Cuomo says he needs to take the step in order to curb the rapidly spreading corona virus.
“This is the most drastic action we can take,” Cuomo said.
Only grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, pharmacies and hardware and home improvement stores will remain open, along with beverage centers and liquor stores.
Earlier in the day, Cuomo, along with the governors of New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania ordered the closure of all barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing parlors, nail salons, and other personal care businesses to close after 8 p.m. Saturday.
Violators will face civil fines.
The governor as recently as Wednesday, had criticized New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio, for recommending that the City adopt a shelter in place policy. At the time, Cuomo said it would cause panic. Now, he says, staying home is the best option to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed.
New Yorkers will still be allowed to go outside in family groups to get exercise and fresh air, for activities like walking or hiking, as long as they remain 6 feet away from others at all times.
There are special rules for people over 70, and those with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems. They should stay indoors, and go out only to do solitary exercise, wear a mask if they are in contact with anyone, and not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary.
Cuomo, calls those measures, “Matilda’s Law”, for his 88 year old mother, Matilda Cuomo, who he says has been reluctant in the past to adopt some of the precautions.
If someone feels sick, they should seek a telehealth appointment, or call their doctor, and should not try to go to a doctor’s office.
Cuomo says he’s also trying to increase hospital capacity, and the state is short by more than 50,000 beds .
The governor say all non-critical elective surgeries will be cancelled, beginning sometime next week. He says that will free up between 25% and 35% of hospital beds. He also wants hospitals to make plans to squeeze more beds into their spaces.
State health officials are scouring med schools and nursing schools for volunteers, and asking that retired health care professionals come back to work.
The governor is also putting a call out to companies that make medical supplies, saying New York State will “pay a premium” if they can manufacture more masks, surgical gowns and gloves as soon as possible.“
He says he’s also looking into expanding existing state prison operations, where uniforms are made for inmates, to find out whether they could switch to masks or surgical wear.
Cuomo says state officials have located some potential sites for temporary hospitals, including the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, and State and City University campuses in New York and on Long Island, and Fordham and St John’s universities.
But the governor say the hardest task remains getting enough ventilators.
Meanwhile, the state Education Department and Board of Regents cancelled the required standardized math and reading test for grades three through eight for this year, saying schools need to focus on meeting community needs right now. All of the schools in the state are closed indefinitely.
And school budget and school board elections scheduled for May are increasingly in question. The New York State School Boards Association is urging candidates for their local boards of education not to go door-to-door collecting signatures on petitions to get on the ballot.
In a statement, the group’s executive Robert Schneider, says "at this point in time, public health is the paramount concern”.
Some guidance from Cuomo’s office:
The Governor's 10-point NYS on PAUSE plan is as follows:
1. Effective at 8PM on Sunday, March 22, all non-essential businesses statewide will be closed;
2. Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;
3. Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced;
4. When in public individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others;
5. Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;
6. Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people;
7. Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;
8. Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;
9. Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and
10. Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using isopropyl alcohol wipes.
"Matilda's Law" includes the following rules for vulnerable populations:
· Remain indoors;
· Can go outside for solitary exercise;
· Pre-screen all visitors and aides by taking their temperature and seeing if person is exhibiting other flu-like symptoms;
· Do not visit households with multiple people;
· Wear a mask when in the company of others;
· To the greatest extent possible, everyone in the presence of vulnerable people should wear a mask;
· Always stay at least six feet away from individuals; and
· Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary.