Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation Tuesday that bolsters protections against evictions for renters who have suffered financial hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.

The measure aims to keep people in their homes by blocking courts from issuing a warrant of eviction against a residential tenant in certain situations.

The nation's economy went into a recession in February and lockdown measures in New York forced companies across the state to stop operations. New York officials, who implemented the rules to blunt the spread of the deadly virus, have gradually lifted restrictions for certain industries on a regional basis.

State Sen. Brad Hoylman, a sponsor of the legislation, said New York residents most affected financially will receive "immediate protection from eviction."

"There's [a] tidal wave of evictions looming over New York. No one should be forced onto the street during a pandemic," the Manhattan Democrat said in a statement. "We have a moral obligation to do everything possible to keep New Yorkers in their homes."

In May, Cuomo reported he would extend a moratorium on evictions into August. He signed an executive order on the issue.

"On a human level, I don't want to see people and their children being evicted at this time through no fault of their own," he said in May.

A judge earlier this week ruled that a group of landlords cannot sue in federal court to block Cuomo's temporary eviction moratorium.

According to the legislation signed Tuesday, courts are not allowed to issue a warrant of eviction against a residential tenant who has suffered a financial hardship "for the non-payment of rent that accrues or becomes due during the COVID-19 covered period."

That period goes from March 7 until whenever a series of restrictions due to the coronavirus have been lifted, according to the legislation.

Hoylman's office says a money judgment could be imposed by a court.

The Legal Aid Society issued a statement praising the bill sponsors for "helping to prevent a widespread eviction crisis."

"Our clients and all low-income New Yorkers who were at the brink of losing their homes and facing homelessness will now have more time to recover and get back on their feet after experiencing the economic disaster brought on by the coronavirus outbreak," the organization said in a statement.

By keeping families in their homes, the measure will prevent a "massive surge in homelessness," Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said in a statement earlier this week.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented turmoil to the lives of millions of New Yorkers, many of whom are experiencing diminished income," he said.