Governor Andrew Cuomo
March 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin
New York state now has more than one thousand cases of novel coronavirus, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today.
New York has the highest number of cases of COVID-19 across the country at 1,374 confirmed. New York City has 644 cases and there have been 12 deaths statewide.
The number of cases in New York is expected to peak in 45 days, Cuomo said.
Cuomo ordered gyms, theatres, casinos, bars and restaurants to shutter at 8 p.m. yesterday — though bars and restaurants can still do delivery and takeout.
The measures are sure to have an economic impact on the city and state — as workers are laid off and small business owners struggle to keep afloat.
New York is expected to lose at least $4 billion to $7 billion in estimated tax revenue for the fiscal year April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli estimated today. The executive budget had projected revenue of $87.9 billion prior to the crisis.
To help struggling New Yorkers, the state court system issued a memorandum suspending all eviction proceedings and pending orders from yesterday until further notice.
The state also is waiving the seven-day waiting period for unemployment insurance for people who have been laid off due to coronavirus, Cuomo announced on March 13.
Cuomo — together with the Attorney General — also announced that the State will not collect medical and student debt for at least 30 days and will also suspend the accrual of interest during the same period.
On Sunday, Cuomo and de Blasio made the decision to close New York City’s public schools.
While the schools are currently closed, they are open for students to pick up grab-and-go breakfast and lunches from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Online learning will being on Monday, March 23.
In order to support small businesses struggling during the public health crisis, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new measures on March 8.
First, the City is offering grants to businesses with fewer than five employees to cover 40 percent of payrolls costs for two months to help retain employees. Second, the City is offering interest-free loans of up to $75,000 to businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have seen sales decrease by 25 percent or more.
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