Schools and non-essential businesses on Long Island and across New York State will remain closed through April 29 to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.
In addition, the Regents exams scheduled for June have been canceled and the governor is increasing to $1,000 the maximum fine for for people violating statewide social distancing order that temporarily bans congregating in crowds.
“I know that’s a negative for many many reasons, I know what it does for the economy, but as I said from day one, I’m not gonna choose between public health and economic activity,” Cuomo told reporters at his daily coronavirus news briefing. “There’s also a real danger in getting overconfident too quickly.”
The efforts dubbed New York State on Pause are an executive order mandating the temporary closure of schools and non-essential businesses — such as hair salons, bowling alleys, and a host of other establishments — designed to avoid COVID-19’s spread.
Cuomo cited as examples the second wave of coronavirus that happened in South Korea and other nations that lifted restrictions too soon after cases began declining, resulting in additional spread.
The development came as the number of cases on Long Island rose to 29,103 on Monday, with 15,616 in Nassau County and 13,487 in Suffolk County. There were 130,689 cases and 4,758 fatalities statewide. There are 344,554 coronavirus cases and 10,252 related deaths nationwide.
“Now is not the time to be lax,” he said.
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