The executive order takes effect Sunday evening, Cuomo said,
and comes a day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the state's nearly
40 million residents to stay home. The two states have a combined population of
nearly 59 million people, meaning the two orders affect nearly 1 in 5
Americans.
Cuomo acknowledged that his actions "will cause
disruption. They will cause businesses to close. They'll cause employees to
stay at home. I understand that. They will cause much unhappiness. I understand
that also."
But, he said, "I accept full responsibility. If someone
is unhappy, if somebody wants to blame someone, or complain about someone,
blame me. There is no one else who is responsible for this decision."
The Democratic governor insisted he wasn't issuing a
"shelter in place" order, which he said referred to active shooter
situations, but rather the state was "closing the valve" of everyday
life to limit the outbreak. He urged New Yorkers to "remain indoors to the
greatest extent."
Civil fines and mandatory closures for businesses that don't
comply with the new mandate will be enforced beginning on Sunday, Cuomo
announced.
"These provisions will be enforced," he said.
"These are not helpful hints. This is not if you really want to be a great
citizen. These are legal provisions. They will be enforced. There will be a
civil fine and mandatory closure for any business that is not in compliance.
Again, your actions can affect my health. That's where we are."
Cuomo, however, said there will be no civil fines on
individuals at this time for people who violate the policy. He also announced
that he's going to issue a moratorium on evictions, both residential and
commercial, for 90 days.
Food delivery service and public transportation will remain
operational, Cuomo said.
New York's order isn't quite as specific as California's,
where residents are being told to "stay at home" effective
immediately, except for essential things such as food, prescriptions, health
care and commuting to jobs considered crucial.
Under California state law, people who violate the order
could be found guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by no more than a $1,000
fine and up to six months in prison. But Newsom told reporters Thursday that
the order will not be enforced by law enforcement.
Also, where Newsom's order exempts workers in 16 critical
sectors, Cuomo said New York was "working through the list of essential
services now."
"Look, society has to function," he said.
As of late Friday morning, there were more than 7,000
confirmed cases in New York state, with 35 deaths, Cuomo said. California has
reported nearly 1,000 cases and 19 deaths.
President Donald Trump praised Newsom and Cuomo's actions.
"They're taking very strong, bold steps and I applaud
them," Trump said at the White House.