Cuomo: Local governments must temporarily reduce on-premise staff; 1st responders must be provided surgical masks

Governor Andrew Cuomo is ordering all state and local government offices to cut their on-site staffing by 50% or more for now. Where possible, employees should work from home. The Gov. also ordered all first responders, including law enforcement, to be equipped with surgical masks. Additionally, Cuomo issued an Executive Order allowing the state to increase hospital capacity to prepare the state's healthcare system to handle the potential influx of patients suffering from COVID-19. The State will organize the National Guard and work with building unions and private developers to find existing facilities -- such as dormitories and former nursing homes.