New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is shutting down plans from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to close nonessential businesses in coronavirus hot spots within the city but allowed the mayor to close schools in those areas, according to The Hill.
Cuomo indicated that state officials would assume control of social distancing requirements and other COVID-19-related restrictions in areas of New York City with spiking rates of new coronavirus infections. He added the city would support the state's lead by providing services.
"I am not going to recommend or allow any New York City family to send their child to a school that I wouldn't send my child," Cuomo said, adding that “local government will need to provide us with personnel" to enforce restrictions in nine NYC hot spots.
Cuomo also suggested religious service that failed to follow coronavirus restrictions would be closed.
"We know that religious institutions have been a problem," he said. "We know mass gatherings are super-spreader events. We know that there have been mass gatherings going on in concert with religious institutions ... in these communities for weeks."
Cuomo's comments follow a viral video where NYPD officers are seen attempting to control a crowd at an orthodox Jewish funeral. NYPD have confronted members of the orthodox community several times since the coronavirus pandemic in an attempt to enforce restrictions.
"I don't mean little violations ... I'm talking about, you're only supposed to have 50 outdoors, they had 1,000," Cuomo added. "They have to agree that they're going to follow the rules. And they have to agree that they're going to be full partner in enforcing the rules. ... If you do not agree to enforce the rules, then we'll close the institutions down. I am prepared to do that."
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