More than 1.5 billion people around the world have been asked or ordered to stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is refusing to do the same -- and pointing to New York as a reason why.

The Tampa Bay Times reports DeSantis said Monday that New Yorkers are fleeing the state and flocking to Florida to avoid NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s stay-at-home order, a near lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If you look at what happened in New York, when they did the stay at home order, what did people do?” DeSantis said. “Well, a lot of people fled the city. ... We’re getting huge amounts of people flying in.”

Cuomo ordered all New York state residents to stay home starting Sunday night, with few exceptions, to slow the spread of coronavirus. Most businesses have to send 100 percent of their workers home. Those that stay open, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, must ensure customers stay at least six feet apart; restaurants can still offer drive-thru and takeout food. Gatherings are banned, including house gatherings. Vulnerable people need to stay indoors.

Other states that have similarly banned non-essential businesses or ordered residents to shelter in place include California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Ohio, Oregon, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

DeSantis said at a press conference Monday that he spoke to President Donald Trump on Sunday about Florida seeing an increase in travelers from New York.

“For every action, there’s a reaction,” DeSantis said. “We’re going to consider what makes sense for Florida.”

Trump has largely left states to decide how to respond to coronavirus, but said Sunday he may make a decision at the end of a “15-day period” next week.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, only two counties in Florida -- Miami-Dade and Broward -- have ordered non-essential businesses to close. The Sunshine State has faced increased criticism after allowing spring breakers to party on beaches this past week; at least four University of Tampa students tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday after traveling together.

More than 40,000 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the U.S., including 20,875 in New York and 1,171 in Florida. At least 479 have died in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University.