Cuomo To Close NYC Shops In Heavily Orthodox Areas

The New York Daily News reports:

Gov. Cuomo unveiled a plan to combat coronavirus “clusters” Tuesday that includes closing businesses and limiting religious gatherings in areas seeing a surge in cases. The governor called the measure a “last resort” and blamed the uptick in infections in the city on Mayor de Blasio failing to enforce social distancing and mask-wearing mandates. “When you see the cluster, you have to stop it at that point,” the governor said during a briefing at the State Capitol.

Roughly 14 minutes before Cuomo’s press conference began, the city sent out guidance saying that non-essential businesses will be closed in nine city zip codes where COVID-19 rates have remained over 3% for at least seven consecutive days. The affected areas in the city are predominantly Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods where many residents have resisted safety measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo: “I have to say to the Orthodox community tomorrow, ‘If you’re not willing to live with these rules, then I’m going to close the synagogues.'” pic.twitter.com/QWOPvZMbFI

— The Hill (@thehill) October 5, 2020

NEW | Gov. Cuomo’s new plan to combat “clusters” of coronavirus cases in NYC includes shuttering nonessential businesses

9 NYC zip codes have seen COVID-19 infection rates over 3% for at least 7 consecutive days.https://t.co/6FnkHM0cwV

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) October 6, 2020