Liquor stores in New York are considered 'essential' businesses by the state and will remain open during the coronavirus shutdowns

• New York liquor stores were deemed "essential" by the state and will remain open during the slew of shutdowns in response to the coronavirus.
• Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order Friday requiring employees at nonessential businesses to work from home until further notice.
• Some of the exceptions are pharmacies, grocery stores, and gas stations.
• The order goes into effect Sunday evening, but liquor stores will not be among the businesses required to have their staff work from home.
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New York liquor stores are considered "essential" and can remain open as employees at other businesses are required to work from home until further notice, according to the New York State Liquor Store Association.

New York's new executive order, signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Friday, mandates that nonessential businesses keep their workers at home in an intensifying effort to slow the coronavirus. The order will take effect Sunday evening.

However, liquor stores do not need to send their workers home because they are considered "essential" by the state, as they fall under the retail and manufacturing categories for "food processing, including all foods and beverages," according to the New York State Liquor Store Association website.

Other businesses in New York that are considered essential include healthcare operations, pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, and mail services.

Businesses that do not comply with the executive order risk civil fines, but Cuomo said the order was not a shelter-in-place mandate.

While the executive order is not a shelter-place-mandate, Cuomo emphasized the importance of New Yorkers limiting outdoor activity, avoiding public transit, practicing social distancing, and staying home if they are sick, except to seek medical attention if they are advised to by a medical professional in a remote consultation.

There were more than 7,000 coronavirus cases reported in the state on Friday.

SEE ALSO: Restaurant owners and employees across the country are raising tens of thousands of dollars online for laid-off workers amid the coronavirus shutdowns

READ MORE: The maker of Absolut Vodka and Jameson Irish Whiskey says it is converting its facilities to produce hand sanitizer that it will donate amid the shortage

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