Shelter in place amid coronavirus: Who can still go to work?

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Just days after the San Francisco Bay Area issued a shelter-in-place order for its roughly seven million residents, officials from other areas across the nation have adopted similar guidelines – or, in New York’s case, have instructed its residents to be prepared to do so.

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In the wake of concerns surrounding the new coronavirus threat, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is urging the Big Apple’s 8.6 million residents to “get ready for the possibility” of being ordered to “shelter in place,” he told NBC’s “TODAY Show” the action could only be taken with approval from New York State.

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“This disease is moving so rapidly,” he said during the interview. “Here in New York, we have the most cases of any state in the country, so what I was saying to people is: Get ready for the possibility. It’s a decision we would only make with the State of New York, of course, but people have to realize at this point that this disease is going to put many, many people, thousands and tens of thousands of peoples’ lives in danger.”

At least 7,323 confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported nationwide as of 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, with 2,480 of those in New York. Of the New York state’s reported cases, at least 1,339 were in New York City, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a Wednesday morning press conference.

A pedestrian wearing a protective face mask is reflected in a rain puddle, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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But Cuomo has been opposed to issuing a shelter-in-place edict, telling the media on Tuesday he has “no interest whatsoever and no plan whatsoever to quarantine any city.”

“That cannot happen,” he said during an afternoon press conference. “It cannot happen legally. No city in the state can quarantine itself without state approval.”

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, and Mayor Bill de Blasio discuss the state and city’s preparedness for the spread of the coronavirus, in New York on March 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

He doubled down on his arguments against the order on Wednesday, when he told reporters that would mean the shutdown of all businesses, which he said he did not yet feel was necessary.

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“[With] shelter in place, you close down your health care system, you close down your food system, you close down your transportation system,” he told reporters, “And you close down businesses, close down all businesses… So that doesn't make sense to me because people have to eat, travel, et cetera.”

Instead, Cuomo has ordered all businesses, except for those within “essential services,” such as food services, healthcare and pharmacies, shipping and supplies, to limit their workforce to 50 percent at one time.

“Doing it this way – all workforce, 50 percent, except essential services – we'll see if that slows the spread,” he said. “If it doesn't slow the spread, then we will reduce the number of workers even further.”

Cuomo said the state could ultimately get to the point where all workers are required to stay home unless they fall under the “essential services” field, but insisted, “I would never shut down food, transportation, essential services.”

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The governor had already been outspoken in urging New Yorkers, and New York businesses, to voluntarily close for the time being. He has also already asked non-essential State workers in certain areas to work from home.

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California’s shelter-in-place model ordered residents to work from home unless they provide essential services, such as public safety, sanitation and medical services.

San Francisco County’s order defines “essential businesses” as:

• Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure;
• Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products such as cleaning and personal care products;
• Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;
• Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services, and other necessities for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
• Newspapers, television, radio and other media;
• Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair and related facilities;
• Banks and related financial institutions;
• Hardware stores;
• Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences, essential activities and essential businesses;
• Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
• Educational institutions, including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible;
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers;
• Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out;
• Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;
• Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;
• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences;
• Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for essential activities;
• Home-based care for seniors, adults or children;
• Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;
• Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities;
• And childcare facilities, though very specific guidelines were provided to these businesses

The order, the most drastic measure taken yet in the nation, is expected to last until April 7 and affects the counties of San Francisco, Marin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Contra Costa and Alameda, which includes the cities of Berkeley and Oakland.

“You can still walk your dog or go on a hike with another person, as long as you keep 6 feet between you," said Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

The main hallway of the Ferry Building Marketplace is mostly empty Monday, March 16, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides basic guidelines for “how to shelter in place,” which include stocking up on supplies, finding a safe spot to hunker down indoors and, simply staying put. The CDC also emphasized that different types of emergencies called for different shelter-in-place responses.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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