Governor Cuomo Issues Executive Order Strengthening State Enforcement During Phased Reopening to Protect New Yorkers and Ensure Business Compliance

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he will issue an Executive Order strengthening state enforcement during the phased reopening to protect New Yorkers and ensure business compliance. Businesses that violate the reopening rules and guidelines are subject to immediate loss of their liquor license and a shutdown order. The Governor also announced he will issue an Executive Order to expand the enforcement areas of the State Liquor Authority by giving bars responsibility for the area immediately outside their locations.

The Governor also announced the State will issue guidance to colleges and universities to allow some in person instruction and on-campus housing and for the fall semester. Campuses must develop a plan, which attests to meeting the guidance and file plans with the State.

The Governor also announced a final decision on New York City entering Phase Two this Monday is expected to come tomorrow following a review of data by global experts. Business guidance for Phase Two of the state's reopening plan is available here.

"As we go through these phases of reopening, the compliance and enforcement function of local government gets more difficult. We're going to take an added step by issuing Executive Orders to increase the State's enforcement capacity," Governor Cuomo said. "We have done this now in every region across the state, and it has worked overall, but it works better or worse depending on compliance and enforcement and how people follow the rules. New Yorkers have done an incredible job in fighting this virus, but our success will rely on all of us continuing to be smart."

The State again reached the lowest percentage of positive COVID-19 tests yesterday since the pandemic began. Out of the 68,541 tests conducted in New York State yesterday, only 618, or less than one percent, were positive. Each region's percentage of positive tests over the last three days is as follows:

The Governor also confirmed 618 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 385,760 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 385,760 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows: