Albany, N.Y. — Life in New York state will come to an almost total stop after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a series of dramatic steps today meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Cuomo said during a press briefing in Albany that he would issue an executive order limiting large amounts of routine daily contact among New Yorkers, especially with vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with existing health problems.

All New York workers must now stay home unless they work providing essential services. Essential service businesses include pharmacies, grocery stores and numerous others and are exempt from the workforce restrictions. Cuomo said his staff is working through the complete list of essential services now.

What’s considered essential, non-essential?

All New Yorkers must remain inside as much as possible. Beyond tasks like getting health care, buying food or going outside for exercise, the rule is simple: Stay home, Cuomo said.

“This is the most drastic action we can take,” he added.

The new measures are not optional. The rules will be enforced through civil fines and penalties, although not on individuals at this time, Cuomo said.

Businesses that don't comply will be shut down.

"These are not helpful hints," Cuomo said. "These are legal provisions."

The new rules take effect Sunday.

Those in groups especially vulnerable to coronavirus must remain indoors and only go outside for solitary exercise or to get health care. People in those groups shouldn’t visit households with multiple others, should not take public transportation and should pre-screen all visitors and aides to their homes by taking their temperatures.

Vulnerable people should also wear a mask when with others. In addition, everyone in the presence of any vulnerable individuals should wear a mask.

“We need real diligence with vulnerable populations,” Cuomo said. “We have to be serious.”

Parties, celebrations, other social events and all other nonessential gatherings should be canceled or postponed. Any groupings of people outside the home should be limited to workers providing essential services.

Nonvulnerable individuals should limit outdoor recreation to noncontact activities and should avoid all activities where they come in close contact with others. Sick individuals should stay home, unless they’re going to get medical care.

All New Yorkers should practice social distancing and stay 6 feet away from others.

The full current list of essential businesses can be found online, although it was posted before Cuomo’s new update today. It covers companies in health care, communications, infrastructure, transportation, financial services, media, construction, defense and others.

Essential retailers that will be allowed to continue operating include:

grocery stores including all food and beverage stores

pharmacies

convenience stores

farmers’ markets

gas stations

restaurants/bars (but only for take-out/delivery)

hardware and building material stores

Businesses not covered by one of the exemptions already listed can be designated essential by filing a request. Information on making requests is available online.

Today’s actions follow a week’s worth of business closings and other moves by the state. Cuomo previously ordered closures of businesses including gyms, casinos and movie theaters. Shopping malls, bowling alleys, amusement parks, barbers and salons were later added to the list.

The in-person workforce rule began by mandating that 50 percent of employees stay home and increased to 75 percent Thursday.

Cuomo had also earlier barred gatherings of more than 50 people.

The new rules come as coronavirus continues to spike in New York. Cases tripled in the last two days to over 7,100.

The actions have all aimed to slow the spread of the virus enough to avoid overwhelming New York’s health care system, Cuomo said.

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