Coronavirus: All of New York state’s non-essential workers now must stay home as Governor Andrew Cuomo expands commuting ban
- The commuting ban applied to just 75 per cent of non-essential workers a day ago
- Backed by power of law, the measure excludes businesses such as grocery stores, food deliveries, pharmacies, internet providers and utilities
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday ordered a ban to keep all non-essential workers in the Empire State from commuting to their jobs, up from 75 per cent of workers just a day ago.
“Only essential businesses can have workers come in,” said Cuomo, whose state has about 20 million residents. Businesses not affected by the ban include grocery stores, food deliveries, pharmacies, internet providers and utilities.
“For the rest of the businesses, 100 per cent of the workforce must stay home,” Cuomo said, emphasising that these measures are legal provisions that will be enforced.
“There will be civil fines and mandatory closures for businesses that are not in compliance,” he said. “Your actions can affect my health. That’s where we are.”
The ban comes as new coronavirus cases in the state continue to surge. In the last 24 hours, New York state had 2,950 newly confirmed cases, bringing the total to 7,102, nearly 10 times as many as it did just five days ago.