NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday continued to warn New Yorkers of the dangers of coronavirus and threatened to issue fines to areas experiencing outbreaks.
For the third time this week, the governor stressed that coronavirus infection rates are increasing in 20 ZIP codes around the state. Together, those areas average a positive rate of 6.5% and pose a “significant problem.”
He warned local governments across the state to get the numbers under control or risk being fined.
“If local governments don't step up compliance, they can actually be in violation of the law and they can be fined,” the governor told reporters.
In an interview with WCBS 880 anchor Paul Murnane, the governor said he wants a tougher approach to coronavirus outbreaks.
“This state has the lowest infection rate in the United States of America, and we're very proud of that. The way we've done that is by being disciplined and being united, and I said to the local governments, ‘Look, this is not a public education effort anymore. There's nobody in New York City who hasn't heard the message wear a mask,’” the governor said. “I need the local governments to do the enforcement and do the compliance. And it sounds harsh. But look, you have your right to do with your life as you'd like. You don't have a right to jeopardize my health.”
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He adds that local municipalities that aren’t enforcing COVID guidelines are breaking the law.
“This is the law. It's not just do us a favor, please. It's the law and the gatherings in front of bars, religious gatherings that go over the allowable limits, people on buses or trains or on the sidewalk without a mask – they're violating the law and they should be ticketed,” Cuomo said.
The governor said local governments have been resistant to enforce the rules and don’t want to offed people with tickets and compliance orders. To them, he said, “if you don't want to do it, I'll do it.”
He believes fining local governments is the only way to ensure enforcement measures are increased.
“I said to them today, if you don't enforce the law or local government, you are violating the law and you'll be fined. So I think I think they'll get the message,” Cuomo said.
On Friday morning, the governor said the Department of Health would be sending letters to local governments across the state, warning them of the fine if they do not increase enforcement measures.
State officials said the DOH will review compliance activities from municipalities to assess fines, but it’s possible they could be fined up to $10,000 under Gov. Cuomo’s executive orders.
The COVID clusters have been consistent for the past few days in Brooklyn, Queens, Orange County and Rockland County. At least 10 ZIP codes listed by the governor as areas of concerns were located in New York City.
The outbreaks in several areas, such as Borough Park, Gravesend and Far Rockaway, have also caused a slight uptick in New York City’s average seven-day infection rate, bringing it to 1.53% on Friday.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has stressed that if the city’s seven-day average reached 3%, that would immediately close all public schools in the five boroughs.
On Friday, he spoke with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer to say the city is keeping a close watch on the numbers, but that they are not looking to shut down any industries yet.
“We'll know a lot more over the next few days,” the mayor said during the broadcast.
Despite the outbreaks, indoor dining remains ongoing in New York City, at 25% capacity. Restaurants reopened for indoor eating on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, in Rockland County, the fastest growing outbreak has been in Monroe, where the infection rate is around 18% — that includes the Orthodox Jewish community of Kiryas Joel.
The governor has said he wants police out there with ticket books issuing violations to people who refuse to wear a mask or observe distance.
Local officials are worried about the effect the virus will have on the Jewish community as they observe the High Holy Days.This week people will gather together for the Sukkot, commonly called the Feast of Tabernacles.