New Cuomo Plan Targets NYC Coronavirus Clusters

NEW YORK CITY — A sweeping new plan by Gov. Andrew Cuomo will set restrictions on houses of worships and close non-essential businesses and schools in concentric, three-ring zones around Brooklyn and Queens coronavirus clusters.

Cuomo on Tuesday left it to maps — at first a set that were broadly-drawn and vague — to show which specific neighborhoods and areas would be affected by the shutdowns. He said city officials could start enforcing restrictions as soon as Wednesday and no later than Friday.

A mayor’s office spokesperson tweeted the city likely will start enforcement Thursday after a day of “outreach and education.”

The plan marks a departure from the city’s approach targeting ZIP codes — nine of which are hotspots and 13 of which are under a “watch list” — and potentially could sweep in areas not previously under closure discussions.

Instead, the state plan will target clusters by looking at coronavirus cases by address, Cuomo said.

“When you see the cluster you have to stop it at that point,” he said.

Cuomo outlined three colored zones in and around clusters — a red central cluster, an orange ring covering its surrounding area and a yellow zone forming a perimeter.

Many restrictions will fall onto houses of worship in the red cluster zones, Cuomo said. They can only have 10 people maximum inside, or 25 percent of their capacity, he said.

Red zones also prohibit mass gatherings, keep only essential businesses open, limit dining to takeout only and restrict schools to remote learning only.

Orange zones also close schools and set less-restrictive, but potentially onerous restrictions on businesses like shutting down gyms and limiting outdoor dining to four-person maximums per table.

Cuomo at first gave only vague pictures — literally — as to what areas of Brooklyn and Queens would fall in the zones.

He displayed a map showing much of southern Brooklyn falling into the red and orange zones.

Likewise, Cuomo displayed a map of Queens showing two clusters without firm boundaries.

“The Brooklyn area is larger than any of the two Queens areas,” he said.

Cuomo faced a barrage of questions about how New Yorkers, parents and businesses will know whether they fit in those areas. He said that will be up to city officials to do, which is why he gave them until Friday to implement the plan.

And despite his tweet touting a “clear and effective plan” many New Yorkers were simply confused.

The plan applies to other cluster areas in the state such as Rockland and Orange counties.

Cuomo said the plan will last at least 14 days. He blamed the clusters on local governments for not enforcing coronavirus restrictions.

“This is off the actual data, with buffer zones,” he said. “The plan is right, the rules are right.”