NEW YORK _ Gov. Andrew Cuomo dramatically ramped up New York's coronavirus shutdown Friday as the crisis spirals out of control.
The governor said the state is being put "on pause" and said people can only leave homes for real urgent emergencies as of Sunday.
He ordered all non-essential workers to stay home as the number of cases shot up to more than 7,100 _ and 35 deaths.
"This is not life as usual," Cuomo said. "Deal with it."
"This is the most drastic measure we can take," Cuomo said.
He said public transport would stay open and announced plans to dramatically increase capacity of the health care system.
The speech marked a sea change for the governor, who up until Thursday had been downplaying the possibility of "shelter in place" order.
He warned that the state will enforce the orders effective Sunday night.
"These are not helpful hints. I am not kidding about this," he added.
"These provisions will be enforced," Cuomo said. "Your actions can affect my health."
Even as he offered a dire assessment of the crisis, the governor sparred with reporters who asserted that the new measures amounted to exactly what he said he was avoiding.
Cuomo said he was seeking to limit contact between New Yorkers to reduce the spread of the deadly virus _ and compared the rise in cases to a plumbing valve.
"Tighten the valve more," Cuomo said. "We're closing the valve."
