Opposition Rises To New York's Coronavirus Red Zone Shutdowns

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — As officials in Orange and Rockland counties scurry to deal with the state's new restrictions in coronavirus hot spots, opposition is rising from two directions.

The new rules for the virus clusters include closing schools, nonessential businesses and restaurant dining; forbidding mass gatherings; and limiting houses of worship to a maximum of 10 people. Fines for mass gatherings have been hiked to $15,000.

The new rules will be in effect for a minimum of 14 days.

"A cluster is just that — it's a cluster of cases, a high density of cases, and it seeps and grows from that cluster almost in concentric circles," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a news release. "Our strategy is to crush the cluster and stop the spread, and we're announcing a special initiative to do just that."

People who disapprove of the lockdown quickly began expressing opposition on social media.

In addition, because most of the hot spots are in Hasidic communities, Orthodox Jews raised objections.

The group Agudath Israel threatened another lawsuit:

Governor Cuomo’s surprise mass closure announcement today, and limit of 10 individuals per house of worship in “red zones,” is appalling to all people of religion and good faith. We have been down this path before, when religious practices were targeted for special treatment by the Governor’s Executive Order in May. A suit was filed challenging the Governor’s Order then (in which Agudath Israel filed an amicus brief), and the court found it unconstitutional. Repeating unconstitutional behavior does not make it lawful.

Moreover, it should be made clear that the Governor’s reference to a “good conversation” he had earlier today with a group of Orthodox Jewish leaders was largely a one-way monologue, and contained no mention of this new plan.

Agudath Israel intends to explore all appropriate measures to undo this deeply offensive action.

A final message to our community: We have considerable concerns that Governor Cuomo’s capricious actions will weaken compliance with good health practices. We cannot allow our - perhaps justifiable - anger at government to imperil our neighbors’ health.

The lockdown will currently apply to coronavirus clusters in the following areas:

• Broome County (One Area, Yellow) - Click here for map
• Brooklyn (One Area, Red, Orange and Yellow) - Click here for map
• Orange County (One Area, Red and Yellow) - Click here for map
• Queens (Two Areas, Red, Orange and Yellow) - Click here and here for maps
• Rockland County (One Area, Red and Yellow) - Click here for map

Cuomo said the rules were developed working with top public health experts, including Dr. Noam Ross of EcoHealth Alliance, Dr. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota and former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden.