State moves to tamp down viral uptick

Revised restrictions target several areas seeing rise in COVID-19 rates

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced stringent new restrictions for “hot spot” areas around New York where COVID -19 infection rates have spiked in recent weeks.

The complicated new rules, which will go into effect no later than Friday, are meant to address a rising number of cases in the city of Binghamton, Rockland and Orange counties and neighborhoods in Queens and Brooklyn.

Cuomo’s restrictions are more strict at the center of the high-infection areas, with the designation of such areas based on testing data and mapping of the virus’ spread.

For the most-infected inner circle of a hot spot, according to the new rules, worship services cannot be held at more than 25 percent capacity (10 people maximum). Mass gatherings are prohibited, only essential businesses can be open, dining is takeout only and schools are closed except for remote learning — rules that mirror New York’s earliest reopening stages.

Those areas are what Cuomo called a “red zone.” Cuomo said they “are relatively small areas geographically, one mile in diameter approximately.”

Per Cuomo’s new rules, the next two rings outside the red zone are labeled “orange” and then “yellow.” In these “buffer zones,” the rules become somewhat less restrictive.

In the orange zone closest to the peak infection areas, worship services are limited to 33 percent capacity (25 people maximum) and other mass gatherings to 10 people. High-risk nonessential businesses such as gyms are closed, only outdoor dining with a maximum of four people is allowed and schools are closed except for remote learning.

In the third, outer ring of a cluster, worship services can occur at 50 percent capacity, gatherings are capped at 25 people, all businesses can be open, and indoor and outdoor dining with a maximum of four people in a party is allowed. Schools can be open with mandatory weekly COVID testing of students and teachers.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had proposed restrictions based on ZIP code, but Cuomo said it was better to implement the rules based on the specific state mapping of particular hot spots. The approach could lead to confusion, however, if New Yorkers are unclear where geographically each set of restrictions applies.

Cuomo said local leaders in the impacted areas may raise concerns to him in the coming days. The rules will not take effect until Friday, although they could begin as early as Wednesday with the consent of community leaders. The rules will be in effect for at least 14 days, Cuomo said.

Cuomo blamed local officials, including elected leaders and police agencies, for not enforcing laws meant to prevent spread of the disease, including restrictions on large worship services.

“They are only as good as their enforcement,” Cuomo said. “And a lack of enforcement has contributed to this problem.”

Cuomo noted that he controls about 5,000 state troopers who have been tapped to help with enforcement, while de Blasio controls a police department of 35,000 members.

Many of the problem areas overlap with heavily Orthodox Jewish communities. Cuomo said he spoke to Orthodox Jewish leaders on Tuesday about the restrictions and enforcement.

The infection rate as of Tuesday was 5.5 percent in hot spot ZIP codes and 1.2 percent in the rest of New York. As the weather gets colder, New York is attempting to avert the type of broader statewide shutdown experienced in the spring at the height of the pandemic.

“This is a last resort,” said Melissa Derosa, the secretary to the governor. “This isn’t something you jump to on day one.”