It’s estimated upwards of four hundred thousand people will be back at work with phase one of reopening still on track to start in New York City in the first two weeks of June. Mayor Bill de Blasio says companies will be required to do healthcare screenings once they open.
“It might be a temperature check in the morning as people come to their place of work. It might be a questionnaire.”
Employers also must reduce building occupancy to under 50 percent and provide employees with face coverings that must be worn if unable to keep six feet apart. There expected to limit tight spaces like elevators and cash register areas to one person. The mayor says there will be random inspections.
“This is not gotcha. This is not something where want to find the problem. We’re not intending to give fines in the first instance.”
New York City is cracking down on businesses going against coronavirus related rules and reopening. The mayor says nine businesses have been shut down in the last few days in Borough Park, Brooklyn after defying orders. There are reports of other businesses opening illegally. de Blasio says if they try and reopen the city will go after them again.
“They are going to get fined and then if they keep doing it worse. It is idiotic to try and open a business today that will be legally allowed to open in as little as a week or two.”
The mayor says we're in the middle of a health crisis and the only way out is to stick together and follow the rules. He says it is working.