New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered all non-essential businesses to keep all employees at home beginning Sunday evening.
Grocery stores, pharmacies & other support businesses will be allowed to stay open.
There were 2,950 new cases reported in New York state in the last day alone.
From the Washington Post:
All New York workers are prohibited from reporting to their workplace in person, with the exception of people who perform essential services, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) said Friday.
The policy, to be formalized via executive order, will take effect Sunday evening and will be backed by the force of law, Cuomo said at a news conference.
“These provisions will be enforced,” he said. “These are not helpful hints; this is not if you really want to be a good citizen.”
Cuomo emphasized that this policy is not an order to “shelter in place” — a term that is usually used in mass shooting situations. He said the guidance to residents to mostly stay inside may continue for months and that people should feel free to take walks for the sake of their mental health.
Cuomo says there are more than 7,000 confirmed cases in New York. The state has done more than 32,000 tests, including 10,000 in the last 24 hours – testing more per capita than South Korea and China – going outside the federal government for testing.
— Amy Siskind 🏳️🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) March 20, 2020
Coronavirus outbreak, New York:
March 20: 7,102 cases
March 17: 1,700 cases
March 14: 613 cases
March 11: 220 cases
March 8: 105 cases
March 5: 11 cases
March 2: 2 cases— Norbert Elekes (@NorbertElekes) March 20, 2020