The consequences of quarantine in New York become painful: what is happening in the city

Crowds disappeared from the streets of New York, access to popular attractions is limited, department stores do not work. The consequences of quarantine in the city have already become apparent to everyone. But this seems to be just the beginning. Due to the pandemic, the mayor proposes an even stricter quarantine, but the state governor is against it. What awaits residents in the near future, the publication reported. TASS.

Situation in new york today

In the Big Apple, the so-called “social distance” regime operates. Within its framework, city residents are advised not to use public transport, work remotely and avoid crowded places.

The consequences of this regime have already become apparent: there are far fewer people on the streets, and tourists on Times Square; Macy's famous department store on 34th Street is closed, as is access to the Statue of Liberty. Even the tracks in Central Park are empty. Broadway theater productions also stopped. By the decision of the city authorities, the bars were stopped, and the restaurants work only to deliver meals on orders.

Due to the outbreak of coronavirus in the city, there is a rule according to which everyone should keep at least 1,8 meters from each other. The New York Times recalled that "this strategy saved thousands of lives both during the Spaniard pandemic in 1918 and during the 2009 flu epidemic in Mexico City."

What are the authorities planning

The authorities of New York, which is home to 8,5 million people, are seriously considering the possibility of tightening the regime of "social distance". Until the introduction of full quarantine in the city. Mayor Bill de Blasio supports this idea. However, state governor Andrew Cuomo is against.

On March 18, in an interview with NBC, Bill de Blasio warned that residents could be barred from leaving home unless absolutely necessary. For this measure, the special term Shelter-in-Place ("stay in a safe place") was even invented, the source notes.

Introducing such strict quarantine does not allow a solid "no" state governor. And this despite the fact that, according to data on Wednesday, a total of 14 thousand people were tested for coronavirus and 2382 cases of a possible or confirmed infection were recorded. The governor explains his unwillingness to support the initiative by the fact that such a measure would virtually paralyze all city services not only in New York, but also in its environs.

Cuomo noted that the authorities ordered the mandatory reduction of 50% of the outgoing staff of companies that do not play a vital role in the city. “If this does not slow down the spread of coronavirus, then we will take more stringent measures,” he promised.

The Governor noted that in New York, in addition to the New Rochelle region, there is another possible center for the spread of coronavirus - this is Boro Park in Brooklyn.

Cuomo also said that Comfort floating naval hospital would be docked in New York harbor in the coming days. He is able to accept up to a thousand patients. According to Cuomo, this is an extraordinary step.

How Quarantine Affects Business and Various Services

From the regime of "social distance" the restaurant business in the city was badly damaged. Many of the 250 people employed in this industry have already lost their jobs, according to The New York Times. However, it remains unclear when the city authorities will allow the reopening of restaurants and bars.

To get at least some working capital, restaurant managers are trying to switch to food delivery on orders. However, as the newspaper noted, this measure is not enough, since already next Friday they will have to pay the tax on sales of the State of New York, as well as rent for premises.

On the subject: Life in the quarantine zone: what is happening in the suburbs of New York - the epicenter of the disease COVID-19

At the same time, according to a source, the New York authorities are offering interest-free loans worth $ 100 thousand to enterprises with less than 75 employees. But for this, business owners must prove that they have lost over 25% of revenues. For restaurant owners, this measure was not enthusiastic, since paying a loan will only increase their debt burden.

Construction projects in the city can also freeze. This was reported in the New York Daily News. The city authorities plan to take such measures as part of the fight against the spread of coronavirus. According to Mayor Freddy Goldstein spokesman, "this is one of the many measures that are currently being considered." If this decision is made, it will affect about 1200 companies engaged in the construction business.

NYPD also suffered from an outbreak of coronavirus. After one of the officers fell ill with the COVID-19 virus, more than 30 of his colleagues also went on sick leave. They complained of symptoms similar to a severe cold; 17 of them are monitored by the city health department.

On March 18, the city police department and the administration of the Jamaica hospital offered employees of city duty services free testing for coronavirus. However, as reported by the New York Daily News, by noon, all available test kits were used.

Coronavirus also affected the city department of correctional facilities. So, last weekend a 56-year-old employee of this department died of coronavirus.

In this regard, the trade union uniting these employees demanded that the city authorities urgently provide 10 thousand masks, but the authorities provided only 3 thousand.

What's next

It is noted that it is not yet clear what will happen if the mayor convinces the state governor to introduce a “stay in a safe place” regime in the city. Moreover, there are no firm rules in this regard, as previously reported in the NBC television company.

One thing is clear: this regime may mean that residents will be allowed to leave their homes to visit doctors and to buy food.

The restriction will not apply to police, medical personnel and employees of urban emergency services.

According to the television company, people who violate this regime may be fined.

Moreover, the period of operation of this regime is not determined by any decisions, the source concluded.