Morning News Briefing
Written by WBTA STAFF on March 19, 2020
Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Employers are now going to be required to reduce their in-person workforce by 50 percent according to a new executive order signed by Governor Cuomo.
The thought is that it’ll reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus with less people on the job.
Health care workers, employees of grocery stores, pharmacies, banks or even the news media, are exempt from the new restrictions along with a few other professions.
According to Cuomo he knows his decision will negatively impact the economy.
The governor says he hopes to lift the mandate it as soon as possible after it goes into effect tomorrow.
New York’s number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to climb with no sign of slowing down.
More than two-thousand New Yorker’s are now being treated for the disease.
Indoor portions of malls, bowling alleys and indoor amusement parks must close by 8 p.m. tonight in an effort to encourage people to stay home.
There’s no word on how long the new restriction will be in place.
Monroe County is reporting more confirmed cases of the coronavirus
22 people have been infected, and several of them are now hospitalized according to health officials.
People are also being asked to monitor themselves for symptoms if they were at the Greater Rochester International Airport between 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Saturday night.
That’s around the time a passenger arrived to Rochester on a Delta flight from JFK Airport in New York City who later tested positive for coronavirus.
If you have any questions about your health, contact your doctor before deciding to head to the hospital.
The City of Batavia has cancelled a number of meetings scheduled for the upcoming week including the City Council meeting on March 23rd.
All of the City Offices remain closed to the public until further notice however those still needing to do essential business with any of the City departments including Batavia’s Bureau of Inspection are encouraged to contact officials by phone, email or mail and to utilize electronic payment systems or the drop box in front of City Hall for making payments.
There is contact information and new guidelines provided by our local agencies on the local news page of our website.
Governor Cuomo has signed off on legislation that will help workers affected by the coronavirus.
The measure was approved in the Senate and Assembly yesterday and will guarantee at least two weeks of paid leave and protect the jobs of all private sector employees. Public employees who work for companies that employ 100 or more people get the same coverage.
All employees of smaller companies will receive job protection and have access to disability and family leave benefits while some will also get paid sick days.
President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to temporarily close the border between the United States and Canada to nonessential traffic. The leaders of both countries say the move is being made to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. President Trump said yesterday the border will likely be closed for at least 30 days. The only individuals that will be allowed to cross the border include truck drivers or people on official government business.
If you travel on the Thruway during the overnight hours, you could run into delays.
The installation of cashless tollbooths will require traffic to be stopped at times between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. through tomorrow morning.
Tonight, gantries are going to be installed between exits 48A and 50.
Cashless tolling is expected to be available to all drivers by the end of the year.
