Cuomo mandates 50 percent workplace numbers

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on March 18 said he is signing an executive order requiring that non-exempt businesses in New York only allow 50% of the workforce report to the workplace.  The rest of the employees may work from home, but may not report to the workplace.

(On March 19, Cuomo dropped the level of workers who may report to the workplace to 25 percent, because of the increase of confrimed cases of COVID-19 overnight.)

“I am doing this statewide,” said Cuomo. “It will exempt essential employees. ...I understand this is a burden for businesses, and I understand the impact on the economy. We are past that point. There is going to be an impact on the economy."

The following bullet points come from the governor's website:

• Governor Cuomo will issue an executive order directing non-essential businesses to implement work-from-home policies effective Friday, March 20. Businesses that rely on in-office personnel must decrease their in-office workforce by 50 percent (now 75 percent.)
• Exemptions from the order will include shipping, media, warehousing, grocery and food production, pharmacies, healthcare providers, utilities, banks and related financial institutions.
• Retail shopping malls, amusement parks and bowling alleys to close by 8 PM Thursday in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
• The USNS Comfort, a 1,000-bed hospital ship, will be deployed to New York harbor to increase New York's hospital surge capacity.
• The Governor and Legislature have an agreement on a bill guaranteeing job protection and pay for New Yorkers who have been quarantined as a result of novel coronavirus.
• Governor Cuomo signed an executive order directing all schools in New York to close by Wednesday, March 18 for two weeks ending April 1.
• Casinos, gyms, theaters are closed until further notice.
• Bars and restaurants are closed, but takeout can be ordered during the period of closure.
• All local governments must reduce their workforce by at least 50%. Non-essential state workers are working from home.
• New York State is waiving all park fees in state, local and county parks.
• Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider.
• Your local health department is your community contact for COVID-19 concerns.