Gov. Andrew Cuomo raised the possibility Sunday of mandatory business closings to slow the spread of the coronavirus in New York State.

In a press conference updating the state’s efforts to combat the novel coronavirus, Cuomo called on private businesses to voluntarily close or, if possible, direct their employees to work from home.

If voluntary efforts do not work, he indicated he will consider ordering business closings.

“I’ve been talking to private businesses all across the state,” he said. “I am asking them to aggressively consider work from home strategies. I’m asking them to aggressively consider voluntary closings to help reduce density as a social responsibility to protect their work force...We could consider mandatory actions later on.”

Cuomo has already issued orders prohibiting large gatherings of more than 500 people or more than 50% of legal occupancy of a facility.

“If need be, we can calibrate up the mandatory requirements that I have already put in action,” he said. “How to calibrate it up? Rather than 50% of occupancy, it could be 40% of occupancy or 30% of occupancy, et cetera. I’m not doing that at this point, but I am asking businesses to aggressively consider these measures.”

“If the private sector does not respond voluntarily, if the spread does not slow, then I would increase the mandatory guidelines,” he added.

Health officials say one way to slow the spread of the coronavirus is to reduce “social density" -- the concentration of people in offices, schools or other gathering places where infected persons can easily pass the virus to others.

Cuomo announced Sunday that a third person has died in New York State from the coronavirus. A 70-year-old woman who had multiple major underlying health issues died Sunday from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.

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Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148

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