Cuomo puts 'New York on PAUSE'

Governor signs 'New York State on PAUSE' executive order

100% closure of nonessential businesses statewide, effective 8 p.m. Sunday

‘Matilda's Law’ to provide new protections for most vulnerable populations: New Yorkers age 70 and older, people with compromised immune systems & those with underlying illnesses

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced he is signing the "New York State on PAUSE" executive order, a 10-point policy to “assure uniform safety for everyone.”

It includes a new directive that all nonessential businesses statewide must close in-office personnel functions effective at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 22, and temporarily bans all nonessential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason.

Cuomo also announced "Matilda's Law" – named for the Governor's mother – to protect New York's most vulnerable populations, including individuals age 70 and older, those with compromised immune systems and those with underlying illnesses. The measure requires this group of New Yorkers to stay home and limit home visitation to immediate family members or close friends in need of emergency assistance.

If it is necessary to visit such individuals, the visitor should get prescreened by taking temperature and seeing if person is exhibiting other flu-like symptoms. Both individuals should wear a mask for the duration of the visit.

The governor also announced a 90-day moratorium on any residential or commercial evictions.

Additionally, amid a shortage of personal protective equipment – or PPE – products in the state, including gloves, masks and gowns, the governor is asking all PPE product providers to sell to the state any products that are not essential or not currently being used. Businesses interested in selling products to the state should contactSimonida Subotic at 646-522-8477 or [email protected].

The governor is encouraging any company with the proper equipment or personnel to begin to manufacture PPE products if possible. The state is willing to provide funding to any company to obtain the proper equipment and personnel. Businesses interested in receiving state funding to manufacture PPE products should contact Eric Gertler at 212-803-3100 or [email protected].

See also >> Cuomo: 100% of 'nonessential' workforce to stay home; here's the list of 'essentials'

The governor's 10-point “New York State on PAUSE” plan is as follows:

1. Effective at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 22, all nonessential businesses statewide will be closed (click HERE for a list);

2. Nonessential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;

3. Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced;

4. When in public, individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others;

5. Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;

6. Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people;

7. Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;

8. Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;

9. Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and

10. Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using isopropyl alcohol wipes.

‘Matilda's Law’

"Matilda's Law" includes the following rules for vulnerable populations:

• Remain indoors;
• Can go outside for solitary exercise;
• Pre-screen all visitors and aides by taking their temperature and seeing if person is exhibiting other flu-like symptoms;
• Do not visit households with multiple people;
• Wear a mask when in the company of others;
• To the greatest extent possible, everyone in the presence of vulnerable people should wear a mask;
• Always stay at least six feet away from individuals; and
• Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary.

Finally, the governor confirmed 2,950 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 7,102 confirmed cases in New York.

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