Rockland County receives clarity on social distancing enforcement

Rockland officials received some clarity Monday on how it can enforce social distancing.
"We were able to chart out a course where our law enforcement officers will now have full authority and power to enforce the law,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day spoke with News 12 moments after a combined conference call with the Rockland district attorney, sheriff's office and the governor’s team after days of trying to understand how law enforcement can legally enforce social distancing.
News 12 was told in that meeting that they learned that the PAUSE initiative details penal law enforcement. 

"The reason this is important is to ensure that officers who take a step forward and do what has to be done are immune to malicious prosecution,” says Day.

During his daily news conference, Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke on the importance of social distancing and raised fines from $500 to $1,000.

He also discussed large gatherings in Rockland County.
"Enforce the law. The localities have the legal right and responsibility to enforce the law. My raising the penalty is my way of saying do it. Just do your job,” said Cuomo.

Day is asking local officials, religious leaders and others to educate the public on the importance of social distancing to beat this pandemic locally.

If residents see a questionable violation, they can contact the state at 833-789-0470.
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