LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York and California imposed tough new restrictions, limiting the activity of 60 million people in the two states to curb the spread of the coronavirus and ordering all non-essential workers to stay at home.
In announcing Friday’s action, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo pleaded for more medical personnel and supplies to treat coronavirus cases that could overwhelm the hospitals in his state of nearly 20 million.
“This is the most drastic action we can take,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in announcing he would issue an executive order to mandate that 100% of the non-essential workforce stay home and all non-essential businesses close.
“Remain indoors, go outside for solitary exercise,” he said.
In Berkeley, California, many more people were out walking their dogs, running and biking than on a usual weekday morning, with pedestrians avoiding passing one another on the narrow sidewalks by veering onto the nearly empty street.
The California health orders on the state’s 40 million people, imposed on Thursday, also allow for outside exercise as long as people stay six feet (two meters) apart.
Venture capitalist Meredith Finn, 37, was walking her dog Brady in the affluent West Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood, where streets were emptier than usual.
“It’s definitely the right move,” she said of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s order. The order took immediate effect and he left open the duration.
“We need to take it really seriously and prevent spread of the disease. Obviously, it’s not the most fun to be home alone but I’m taking my dog out for short walks. I’m trying to stay in touch with friends and family with FaceTime and Zoom.”
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