Rockland County’s request for a state of emergency, which would require food markets and pharmacies to enforce social distancing, has been denied by the state Health Department.

It instead provided updated guidelines for retailers.

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“What the Health Department did was take our suggestions, put them on a guidance sheet,” said County Executive Ed Day. “But sometimes guidance doesn't work. We need the enforcement of the law."

Rockland County is asking stores and pharmacies to offer one hour a day of early shopping for senior citizens who are 60 and older, plus one-way aisles and limiting the number of shoppers allowed inside.

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"All we can do now is put it out as an advisory,” says Day. “We can't enforce it, we hope the stores will comply."

Day says he's also hoping stores will go even further by offering hand sanitizers and rubber gloves to their customers.