By Allison Li
NYC residents protesting new restrictions put in place on schools, restaurants and nonessential businesses. Credit…Mark Abramson for The New York Times
Governor Cuomo has set stricter regulations in NYC, which went into effect October 8th. In state-identified cluster zones with increasing rates of positive cases, large gatherings have been banned and nonessential businesses closed. These restrictions will remain in place for a minimum of 14 days but could last up to a month or more depending on the community’s response and trends in COVID rates.
Mayor de Blasio has enforced heavy fines for violating these restrictions – up to $15,000 a day for not following mass gathering restrictions, and up to $1,000 for social distancing and mask violations.
Many schools in high-risk areas have been shut down. According to the United Federation of Teachers, the city’s teacher’s union, 124 out of 153 schools will have to go all-remote due to being in a high-risk area. Additionally, 308 schools will need to undergo weekly testing.
The Orthodox Jewish community has protested the new restrictions on gatherings at synagogues and other places of worship. Agudath Israel, an Orthodox Jewish organization, argued that the rules negatively impacted Orthodox Jews in particular. For instance, they cannot drive during religious holidays, so it is difficult for them to travel to synagogues with severe mobility restrictions.
Judge Matsumoto of the federal court in Brooklyn ruled that Cuomo’s restrictions did not violate the freedom to exercise religion for Orthodox Jews. She stated, “How can we ignore the compelling state interest in protecting the health and life of all New Yorkers?”
According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 33,000 people in New York have died due to COVID-19, more than any other state. Deaths in New York state comprise about 16 percent of the national death toll. New York City alone has lost at least 21,000 people to the virus. Mayor de Blasio encouraged New Yorkers during one of his briefings. “It will take hard work and discipline and certainly there will be sacrifice… We need to stop this outbreak dead in its tracks.”
