Big Apple bodegas won’t be taking a sick day.
New York City’s 16,000 bodegas will stay open to provide essential services after the rest of New York shuts down Sunday to fight the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Bodega and Small Business Association of New York.
Each bodega, on average, has six employees, Francisco Marte, the group’s founder, said in a statement.
“We will work for our community. Our clients need us. The Governor of New York needs us. We want to serve,” he said.
Marte advised bodega owners to make sure customers practice social distancing and suggested the shops offer delivery.
On Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered all non-essential businesses statewide to close by Sunday evening, in an attempt to curb the spread of infection.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, laundromats, gas stations, liquor stores and restaurants — only those offering takeout and delivery — have all been declared essential businesses and will be allowed to remain open.
“I want to be able to say to the people of New York — I did everything we could do,” Cuomo told reporters at the state Capitol, explaining the move. “And if everything we do saves just one life, I’ll be happy.”