[ad_1]
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – As local COVID-19 cases continue to climb, parts of Staten Island are now in an orange zone.
This means as more restrictions went into effect on Wednesday, there was more angst for many business owners and residents, CBS2’s Dave Carlin reported.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that his “winter plan” not only identifies areas of the worst affected areas, but also increases hospital resources for them.
“We do more testing than any state in the country, so we just have more data to make decisions on. Everyone has an opinion on COVID. We have the facts, ”Cuomo said.
The micro-cluster strategy appears to be unpopular in parts of Staten Island, where some businesses have reluctantly complied, including nail salons and fitness centers, while a few others have backed down.
“We don’t want to have another shutdown. Everyone’s just trying to get back on the road, man, ”said resident Xavier Rodriguez.
MORE: COVID in New York: Staten Island reopens the unused coronavirus field hospital since the peak of the pandemic
Grant City Mac’s Public House restaurant is covered in signs and markings declaring it an “autonomous zone,” promising to challenge the new order.
The sign on the door reads, “We refuse to abide by the rules and regulations put forward by the Mayor of New York and the Governor of New York State.”
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Mimi Kim, the owner of Coco Nails, has closed her business in New Dorp Lane. There won’t be a vacation manicure there.
“It’s horrible, horrible, horrible. I have to open as soon as possible, ”Kim said.
Neighbors had a lot to say about the frustrations felt by tired owners and others.
“It ruins lives because you don’t make money,” said Frank Natoli, a resident of New Dorp. “Orange, pink, blue and green [zones], it does not matter. So if I step on an orange or yellow code does that mean I’m okay? It doesn’t make sense to me. To me that doesn’t make sense.
BACK BACK: Mayor: ‘Huge outreach effort underway’ to tackle the COVID surge in Staten Island
When an orange zone is established, some non-essential businesses close, restaurants are reduced to delivery and take-out only, and places of worship must limit capacity to 25 people.
“Either you close the whole island or you keep the whole island open because people are going to travel from side to side,” said Debbie Miniero, New Dorp resident.
But not everyone is against the new restrictions.
“It’s for everyone’s safety because everyone comes there and that’s why people get sick. People don’t wear masks so I feel like they have to do what they have to do. It can be embarrassing, we are used to doing these things, but these people protesting and fighting about it, it just doesn’t make sense, ”said Serena Alston, a New Dorp resident.
Manhattan dodged micro-cluster designations until Wednesday. Although there are no orange zones yet, the first yellow zone is mapped and active. It is a precaution, a warning before the stops of Orange.
It stretches from 133rd Street to 187th Street and includes most of Washington Heights and part of Harlem.
The city and state insist the zones, when previously applied to Brooklyn and Queens, have worked to fend off the virus and it is a necessary step.
MORE FROM CBS NEW YORK
[ad_2]
Source link