There are now 950 cases of coronavirus in New York State with about half in New York City. Governor Cuomo is ordering a ban on all gatherings of 50 or more people to help stop the spread of coronavirus. He also is ordering gyms, casinos and theaters to close at 8 o'clock Monday night as well a ban on restaurants and bars taking in customers. The governor is asking private businesses to have employees work from home and ordering local government to reduce the office workforce by at least 50%.
Cuomo continues to call on the federal government to use the Army Corp of Engineers to help turn places like dorm rooms and nursing homes into hospital rooms to create more beds. The governor pointed to Italy and China, saying hospitals will be overwhelmed by coronavirus patients if nothing is done. He's also considering asking healthcare providers to cancel elective surgeries to make more room and asking New York City to identify thousands of beds that could convert to hospital beds if needed.
The governor is waving fees on state parks, encouraging residents to go there but not form crowds. He's also have state rules change to allow bars and wineries to sell products similar to food takeout to help limit the economic damages.
All schools will close in New York State starting Wednesday for at least two weeks to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Governor Cuomo made the announcement today.About 86-percent of schools are already schools in New York.
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