NEW YORK (AP) – New York state will extend its stay-at-home restrictions at least through May 15 amid signs the initial wave of the coronavirus outbreak has stopped getting worse.
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Cuomo said Thursday that virus transmission rates still need to be tamed as he prolonged rules that have left many New Yorkers working from home, or out of a job entirely, and unable to gather in public since March 22. The governor said the extension was made in consultation with other Northeast states and will be re-evaluated next month.
The number of people hospitalized statewide has ticked down to under 18,000, far below initial projections. But there are still close to 2,000 newly diagnosed people coming into hospitals daily, Cuomo said.
New York recorded 606 COVID-19-related deaths Wednesday, the lowest daily number in more than a week. More than 12,000 people have died statewide in just over a month.
“This is still continuing at a really tragic, tragic rate,” Cuomo said at a press briefing.
Though disruptive, Jeff Fila of suburban Albany said he understands the need for continuing the restrictions. The tech support specialist and his wife have been working from home and watching their 16-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl.
“Considering all the challenges other people have, this is nothing. So I can deal with it,” Fila said. ”Other people have to go to work or have lost their jobs. I feel for them.”
The governor also said he’s expanding the requirement starting Friday night that all residents wear face coverings when they’re out in public and within 6 feet of other people. He said that in addition to being required on subways and buses, coverings must be worn by drivers and passengers in for-hire vehicles.