NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York state will prohibit large gatherings, close non-essential businesses, limit dining to takeout-only and close schools in COVID-19 clusters that have been designated high-risk "red" zones, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.
The state will start labeling COVID-19 clusters as "red," "orange" or "yellow" zones based on the number of new cases they are reporting, Cuomo said at a news briefing Tuesday afternoon.
The three different zones will be subject to the following restrictions, the governor said:
• RED ZONES: 25% capacity or 10 people maximum for houses of worship; mass gatherings prohibited; only essential businesses open; takeout-only dining; schools closed (remote only)
• ORANGE ZONES: 33% capacity or 25 people maximum for houses of worship; 10 people maximum at indoor and outdoor gatherings; high-risk non-essential businesses closed (gyms, personal care, etc.); outdoor dining only, 4 people maximum per table; schools closed (remote only)
• YELLOW ZONES: 50% capacity for houses of worship; 25 people maximum at indoor and outdoor gatherings; businesses stay open; indoor and outdoor dining allowed with 4 people maximum per table; schools stay open, with mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing
The designations are part of a new initiative called the "Cluster Action Initiative," Cuomo said. The governor released maps designating COVID-19 clusters in Brooklyn, Queens, Orange County and Rockland County by zone on Tuesday evening.
Local governments will be allowed to enforce the new rules starting Wednesday. The restrictions must take effect no later than Friday, the governor said.
The state will also increase its fine for sponsors of mass gatherings to $15,000.
"A mass gathering causes infections, infections cause a cluster, and clusters cause community spread," Cuomo said. "That is the natural evolution of things unless we intervene and stop the cycle."
"We can tell you where there is a cluster by the actual number of cases," he added. "We have the addresses of people who are COVID positive."
Of the 96,359 COVID-19 test results that came back on Monday, 1,393, or 1.45 percent, were positive, Cuomo said.
As of Monday, 705 people in the state were hospitalized with COVID-19, he said. The state also reported nine new COVID-19 deaths.
