New York State To Begin New COVID Restrictions As the Infection Rate Soars To New Highs
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New York State Governor Mario Cuomo announced new restrictions on bars, restaurants, gyms, and limits private home gatherings to a maximum of ten people.
The latest NYC COVID-19 numbers for Veterans Day.
A second wave is knocking at the door. pic.twitter.com/4Vbuvf17Fs
— Bill Neidhardt (@BNeidhardt) November 11, 2020
“If these measures aren’t sufficient to slow the spread, we will turn the valve more and part of that would be reducing the number of people in indoor dining,” the governor said at a press conference on Wednesday.
According to NBC News: Local governments will be tasked with enforcement, which is in and of itself an ongoing point of contention between the New York state and local municipalities. “If these measures aren’t sufficient to slow the spread, we will turn the valve more and part of that would be reducing the number of people in indoor dining,” Cuomo said, referring to the current 50 percent statewide capacity cap excluding NYC, where it’s 25 percent. “If that doesn’t work, if numbers keep going crazy, there are some scientists who believe we should close down. I hope that doesn’t happen.”
In New York City and the suburbs, the question most asked is how the state will enforce the restrictions on bars and restaurants. Cuomo said it’s simple: if it’s after 10 p.m. and you see a light on inside, issue a summons.
“We’re seeing a global COVID surge and New York is a ship on the COVID tide,” the governor added. “Today, we’ve seen the country set a new record in terms of COVID cases. It is really getting much, much worse by the day.”
New reported cases in New York and New Jersey have nearly doubled in just the last week, reflecting a national trend that shows no signs of abating and appears only to be worsening on the cusp of the busiest travel time of the year.
NEW ACTIONS from @NYGovCuomo in NY:
➡️ Any establishment w an SLA license including Bars & restaurants: close at 10pm statewide
➡️Gyms: close at 10pm
➡️private residents gatherings limited to TEN people.
— Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) November 11, 2020
Meanwhile, New York City schools are teetering perilously on the edge of closure, with Mayor Bill de Blasio reporting a 2.52% seven-day rolling positivity rate as of Wednesday. That marks a 14% increase in the last two days. De Blasio has said schools will have to switch all-remote for a time if it hits 3%.
Cuomo told CBS2’s Marcia Kramer: “If the numbers keep going up, would you consider drawing back and reducing the number of people who can eat indoors in the suburbs and the city?” Kramer asked.
“If the measures are not sufficient to slow the spread, we will turn the valve more and part of that would be reducing the number of people indoor dining,” Cuomo answered.
The governor also demanded that localities step up enforcement and zeroed in on the need for the NYPD to take an active role.
A spokesman for Mayor Bill de Blasio told Kramer the city was hoping to come up with a team of people to handle the enforcement.
