new york state government response to the covid-19 pandemic new york state government response to the covid-19 pandemic the government of new york state initially responded to the covid-19 pandemic with a stay-at-home order in march 2020. as the pandemic progressed in new york state and throughout the rest of the country, the state government, following recommendations issued by the u.s. government regarding state and local government responses, began imposing social distancing measures and workplace hazard controls. for new york city's response to the covid-19 pandemic, see covid-19 pandemic in new york city § government response. map of the outbreak in new york by confirmed new infections per 100,000 people over 14 days (last updated march 2021) 1,000+ 500–1,000 200–500 100–200 50–100 20–50 10–20 0–10 no confirmed new cases or no/bad data map of the outbreak in new york by confirmed total infections per 100,000 people (last updated march 2021) 10,000+ 3,000–10,000 1,000–3,000 300–1,000 100–300 30–100 0–30 no confirmed infected or no data background