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New York Receives Federal Approval to Conduct Local Coronavirus Testing: Live Updates New York Receives Federal Approval to Conduct Local Coronavirus Testing: Live Updates
(30 minutes later)
Life for New Yorkers will change dramatically on Friday night, when restrictions that limit public gatherings go into effect in an extraordinary step to fight the growing outbreak of the coronavirus.Life for New Yorkers will change dramatically on Friday night, when restrictions that limit public gatherings go into effect in an extraordinary step to fight the growing outbreak of the coronavirus.
On Thursday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York placed an indefinite ban on most gatherings of more than 500 people and commanded smaller spaces, like restaurants and bars, to slash their occupancy by half.On Thursday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York placed an indefinite ban on most gatherings of more than 500 people and commanded smaller spaces, like restaurants and bars, to slash their occupancy by half.
The restrictions took immediate effect in Broadway theaters on Thursday but will spread to a broader set of venues at 5 p.m., striking a blow to New York City’s typically bustling hospitality industry as it heads into the weekend.The restrictions took immediate effect in Broadway theaters on Thursday but will spread to a broader set of venues at 5 p.m., striking a blow to New York City’s typically bustling hospitality industry as it heads into the weekend.
Mr. Cuomo’s decision to limit gatherings of more than 500 people was an especially heavy blow to the live theater business, a crown jewel of New York City’s tourist trade. Last season, the industry drew 14.8 million patrons and grossed $1.8 billion.Mr. Cuomo’s decision to limit gatherings of more than 500 people was an especially heavy blow to the live theater business, a crown jewel of New York City’s tourist trade. Last season, the industry drew 14.8 million patrons and grossed $1.8 billion.
Under the guidance announced by Mr. Cuomo, gatherings of fewer than 500 people will still be allowed.Under the guidance announced by Mr. Cuomo, gatherings of fewer than 500 people will still be allowed.
Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency on Thursday. In the wake of the declaration, a leading candidate in the race for Queens Borough President said the scheduled special election should be postponed in order to protect people’s health. Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency on Thursday. In the wake of that declaration, a leading candidate in the race for Queens Borough President said the scheduled special election should be postponed in order to protect people’s health.
Councilman Donovan Richards of southeast Queens said in a statement Friday morning that the voting process, which is set to begin Saturday and run through March 24, should be postponed because numerous polling sites were located in nursing homes and schools.Councilman Donovan Richards of southeast Queens said in a statement Friday morning that the voting process, which is set to begin Saturday and run through March 24, should be postponed because numerous polling sites were located in nursing homes and schools.
A spokesman for Mr. Cuomo, who has authority to modify election rules, did not immediately comment. Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday that the election would proceed as scheduled.A spokesman for Mr. Cuomo, who has authority to modify election rules, did not immediately comment. Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday that the election would proceed as scheduled.
On Friday, Nassau County on western Long Island declared a state of emergency. The county has 48 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
As of Thursday afternoon, there were 328 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state, with 148 in Westchester County and 95 in New York City, officials said.As of Thursday afternoon, there were 328 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state, with 148 in Westchester County and 95 in New York City, officials said.
On Friday morning, Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City announced that the city had its first presumptive positive case of coronavirus.On Friday morning, Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City announced that the city had its first presumptive positive case of coronavirus.
Cyclists have flooded bike lanes and bridges to avoid taking the New York City subway. One man in his 50s has started walking two hours from Brooklyn to Manhattan for work each day to stay off the train. A recent college graduate who lives in Manhattan is considering moving in with her parents so she can use their car to drive to work in the Bronx.Cyclists have flooded bike lanes and bridges to avoid taking the New York City subway. One man in his 50s has started walking two hours from Brooklyn to Manhattan for work each day to stay off the train. A recent college graduate who lives in Manhattan is considering moving in with her parents so she can use their car to drive to work in the Bronx.
As concerns over the coronavirus escalate across the region, many riders have abandoned crowded public transit to protect themselves.
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As concerns over the coronavirus escalate across the region, many riders have abandoned crowded public transit to protect themselves.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the subway, buses and two commuter railroads, said that ridership on Wednesday fell by nearly 20 percent on subways and 15 percent on buses compared with a similar day last year. The subway system typically handles about 5.5 million riders each weekday.The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the subway, buses and two commuter railroads, said that ridership on Wednesday fell by nearly 20 percent on subways and 15 percent on buses compared with a similar day last year. The subway system typically handles about 5.5 million riders each weekday.
On Friday morning, officials squashed rumors that the authority was planning to shut down public transit.On Friday morning, officials squashed rumors that the authority was planning to shut down public transit.
“No. Period. Full Stop. Not happening,” Patrick J. Foye, chairman of the M.T.A., said in an interview on NY1.“No. Period. Full Stop. Not happening,” Patrick J. Foye, chairman of the M.T.A., said in an interview on NY1.
“It’s important to emphasize that the system is safe,” Mr. Foye added, and said that the agency will be rolling out a new technology to disinfect trains and buses in the days to come.“It’s important to emphasize that the system is safe,” Mr. Foye added, and said that the agency will be rolling out a new technology to disinfect trains and buses in the days to come.
As the outbreak has widened, Mr. Cuomo and other officials have pushed to increase the state’s capacity to test for the coronavirus, urging the federal government to ease restrictions on where and how tests can be conducted.As the outbreak has widened, Mr. Cuomo and other officials have pushed to increase the state’s capacity to test for the coronavirus, urging the federal government to ease restrictions on where and how tests can be conducted.
On Friday, the state opened a “drive through” testing facility in New Rochelle, a city north of New York City that has been at the center of the epidemic in the state.On Friday, the state opened a “drive through” testing facility in New Rochelle, a city north of New York City that has been at the center of the epidemic in the state.
People in the area who believe they may be infected with the virus can make an appointment with the center, at Glen Island Park. They can drive to the facility, where they will wait in one of six lanes for medical staff to come to them and test for the virus.People in the area who believe they may be infected with the virus can make an appointment with the center, at Glen Island Park. They can drive to the facility, where they will wait in one of six lanes for medical staff to come to them and test for the virus.
By keeping potentially infected people in their vehicles, the state would boost testing capacity while reducing the risk of the virus spreading at hospitals or clinics, Mr. Cuomo said at a news conference.By keeping potentially infected people in their vehicles, the state would boost testing capacity while reducing the risk of the virus spreading at hospitals or clinics, Mr. Cuomo said at a news conference.
“It’s not only faster and easier, it’s also smarter and safer,” he said. “Because you’re not exposing people to a person who may be positive.”“It’s not only faster and easier, it’s also smarter and safer,” he said. “Because you’re not exposing people to a person who may be positive.”
At the facility, Mr. Cuomo reiterated his call for the federal government to loosen testing restrictions and allow all U.S. states to regulate whether private labs can conduct coronavirus tests.At the facility, Mr. Cuomo reiterated his call for the federal government to loosen testing restrictions and allow all U.S. states to regulate whether private labs can conduct coronavirus tests.
Mr. Cuomo has said several times that New York should be testing 1,000 people a day.Mr. Cuomo has said several times that New York should be testing 1,000 people a day.
The Food and Drug Administration said on Friday that it would allow New York State’s public health department to authorize local labs to perform coronavirus tests.The Food and Drug Administration said on Friday that it would allow New York State’s public health department to authorize local labs to perform coronavirus tests.
The F.D.A., which regulates labs, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have come under fire for the flawed rollout of C.D.C. tests that led to severely restricted access to tests and a rapid, undetected growth in infections across the country.The F.D.A., which regulates labs, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have come under fire for the flawed rollout of C.D.C. tests that led to severely restricted access to tests and a rapid, undetected growth in infections across the country.
The New York City Police Department is investigating at least three suspected anti-Asian bias incidents that occurred in Manhattan this week, the police said. They believe the incidents are connected to the panic surrounding the coronavirus.The New York City Police Department is investigating at least three suspected anti-Asian bias incidents that occurred in Manhattan this week, the police said. They believe the incidents are connected to the panic surrounding the coronavirus.
On Tuesday morning, a 23-year-old woman of Asian descent was pushed and slapped by another woman in Manhattan, the police said. The suspect, a woman in her 20s, made anti-Asian comments.On Tuesday morning, a 23-year-old woman of Asian descent was pushed and slapped by another woman in Manhattan, the police said. The suspect, a woman in her 20s, made anti-Asian comments.
Later that day, on the Upper East Side, a young man approached a 59-year-old man of Asian descent from behind, kicked him to the ground, and yelled anti-Asian statements, officials said.Later that day, on the Upper East Side, a young man approached a 59-year-old man of Asian descent from behind, kicked him to the ground, and yelled anti-Asian statements, officials said.
On Thursday night, a 47-year-old Asian man was walking to a bus stop in Forest Hills in Queens when a white man in his 40s approached him, shoved him, made anti-Asian comments and asked why the Asian man wasn’t wearing a mask.On Thursday night, a 47-year-old Asian man was walking to a bus stop in Forest Hills in Queens when a white man in his 40s approached him, shoved him, made anti-Asian comments and asked why the Asian man wasn’t wearing a mask.
None of the suspects have been apprehended by the police. The incidents are being investigated by the department’s Hate Crimes Task Force.None of the suspects have been apprehended by the police. The incidents are being investigated by the department’s Hate Crimes Task Force.
On Wednesday, Mr. Cuomo addressed the first incident, saying the attack was “apparently motivated by the bigoted notion that an Asian person is more likely to carry or transmit the novel coronavirus.”On Wednesday, Mr. Cuomo addressed the first incident, saying the attack was “apparently motivated by the bigoted notion that an Asian person is more likely to carry or transmit the novel coronavirus.”
He directed state authorities to investigate.He directed state authorities to investigate.
On Friday morning, Corey Johnson, New York’s City Council speaker, called for the closure of all public schools.On Friday morning, Corey Johnson, New York’s City Council speaker, called for the closure of all public schools.
“Teaching and learning can not take place under these circumstances for the safety and well being of the teachers and students,” he posted on Twitter. “We need food and medical services for students who need it. It is not time to panic. But it is time to act.”“Teaching and learning can not take place under these circumstances for the safety and well being of the teachers and students,” he posted on Twitter. “We need food and medical services for students who need it. It is not time to panic. But it is time to act.”
But Mr. de Blasio and other officials have called widespread school closings a last resort, pointing out that hundreds of thousands of poor students rely on schools for meals and medical care in addition to education.But Mr. de Blasio and other officials have called widespread school closings a last resort, pointing out that hundreds of thousands of poor students rely on schools for meals and medical care in addition to education.
However all New York City public school assemblies, plays, after-school sports and other activities have been canceled over concern about the virus.However all New York City public school assemblies, plays, after-school sports and other activities have been canceled over concern about the virus.
Two public schools in Staten Island were closed after a student tested positive for the coronavirus, school officials said on Friday morning.Two public schools in Staten Island were closed after a student tested positive for the coronavirus, school officials said on Friday morning.
Both New Dorp High School and The Richard H. Hungerford School, which serves grades 6-12, were shuttered “in an abundance of caution,” the education department said on Twitter.Both New Dorp High School and The Richard H. Hungerford School, which serves grades 6-12, were shuttered “in an abundance of caution,” the education department said on Twitter.
Brooklyn College Academy, a public high school on Brooklyn College’s campus, was also closed on Friday, after a student at Brooklyn College tested positive for the virus.Brooklyn College Academy, a public high school on Brooklyn College’s campus, was also closed on Friday, after a student at Brooklyn College tested positive for the virus.
The campus at Brooklyn College, part of the city’s university system, was closed, the school’s president, Michelle J. Anderson, said in a statement. The student was hospitalized and receiving medical care.The campus at Brooklyn College, part of the city’s university system, was closed, the school’s president, Michelle J. Anderson, said in a statement. The student was hospitalized and receiving medical care.
In-person classes were already canceled at the school as the city and state university systems prepared for a move to online classes beginning next Wednesday. Success Academy, New York City’s largest charter school network, said that it would transition its 18,000 students to off-campus learning starting March 19.In-person classes were already canceled at the school as the city and state university systems prepared for a move to online classes beginning next Wednesday. Success Academy, New York City’s largest charter school network, said that it would transition its 18,000 students to off-campus learning starting March 19.
On Friday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn said that all Catholic elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens will be closed next week.On Friday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn said that all Catholic elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens will be closed next week.
The decision followed a similar one made on Thursday by the Archdiocese of New York, which stretches from Staten Island north to Dutchess County.The decision followed a similar one made on Thursday by the Archdiocese of New York, which stretches from Staten Island north to Dutchess County.
The moves affect more than 41,000 students at 228 elementary schools. The school closures in Brooklyn and Queens affect 76 schools and 22,007 students, the diocese says. Altogether, the moves affect 228 elementary schools and more than 41,000 students at
Separately, the Archdiocese of Newark said on Thursday night that it would cancel public Masses on Saturday and Sunday.Separately, the Archdiocese of Newark said on Thursday night that it would cancel public Masses on Saturday and Sunday.
Newark was the first Catholic diocese in the New York area to announce a blanket suspension of Mass, and came shortly after the Archdiocese of Washington issued a similar — but more sweeping — measure. Masses there have been canceled “until further notice,” Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory said on Thursday.Newark was the first Catholic diocese in the New York area to announce a blanket suspension of Mass, and came shortly after the Archdiocese of Washington issued a similar — but more sweeping — measure. Masses there have been canceled “until further notice,” Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory said on Thursday.
In Newark, Cardinal Joseph Tobin had excused the faithful from the obligation to attend any Sunday Mass “until further notice,” the archdiocese said.In Newark, Cardinal Joseph Tobin had excused the faithful from the obligation to attend any Sunday Mass “until further notice,” the archdiocese said.
The move will also impact celebrations like weddings, baptisms and funerals. The archdiocese said those events would not be canceled, “but attendance should be limited to immediate family members only.”The move will also impact celebrations like weddings, baptisms and funerals. The archdiocese said those events would not be canceled, “but attendance should be limited to immediate family members only.”
“Churches of the Archdiocese will remain open and the faithful are encouraged to pray while maintaining a prudent distance from each other,” it said in a statement.“Churches of the Archdiocese will remain open and the faithful are encouraged to pray while maintaining a prudent distance from each other,” it said in a statement.
A security officer at the U. S. Attorney’s office in Lower Manhattan has tested positive for the coronavirus, a law enforcement official said on Friday.A security officer at the U. S. Attorney’s office in Lower Manhattan has tested positive for the coronavirus, a law enforcement official said on Friday.
The officer had worked at the main entrance and lobby of the building, at 1 Saint Andrews Plaza, a short distance from the New York Police Department headquarters.The officer had worked at the main entrance and lobby of the building, at 1 Saint Andrews Plaza, a short distance from the New York Police Department headquarters.
The building’s entrance and lobby were closed overnight for a thorough cleaning and reopened on Friday morning, the official said.The building’s entrance and lobby were closed overnight for a thorough cleaning and reopened on Friday morning, the official said.
The office, which is not open to the general public, houses more than 200 federal prosecutors, investigators, paralegals and other staff and its entrance often bustles with activity as prosecutors come and go from the federal courthouse across Pearl Street.The office, which is not open to the general public, houses more than 200 federal prosecutors, investigators, paralegals and other staff and its entrance often bustles with activity as prosecutors come and go from the federal courthouse across Pearl Street.
The office handles some of the most prominent federal prosecutions in the country, involving terrorism, sex trafficking and organized crime cases.The office handles some of the most prominent federal prosecutions in the country, involving terrorism, sex trafficking and organized crime cases.
Also downtown, the United States courthouse at 500 Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan, will end naturalization ceremonies for new citizens until further notice, a spokesman, Edward Friedland, said. The court will hold its final naturalization ceremony this Friday, and only each new citizen-candidate may attend. Also downtown, the United States courthouse at 500 Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan will end naturalization ceremonies for new citizens until further notice, a spokesman, Edward Friedland, said. The court is holding its final naturalization ceremony Friday, and only each new citizen-candidate may attend.
New York State attorney general Letitia James on Thursday issued a cease-and-desist to Alex Jones, the conservative radio host, alarmed by claims on his website that his diet supplements and toothpaste could be used to fight the coronavirus.New York State attorney general Letitia James on Thursday issued a cease-and-desist to Alex Jones, the conservative radio host, alarmed by claims on his website that his diet supplements and toothpaste could be used to fight the coronavirus.
According to Ms. James, Mr. Jones had made a series of false claims that his products could act as “stopgate” against the virus: one said that his Superblue brand of toothpaste “kills the whole SARS-corona family at point-blank range.”According to Ms. James, Mr. Jones had made a series of false claims that his products could act as “stopgate” against the virus: one said that his Superblue brand of toothpaste “kills the whole SARS-corona family at point-blank range.”
There is no current medicine or cure for the virus, Ms. James noted in her letter, adding that Mr. Jones’ claims are “incredibly dangerous.”There is no current medicine or cure for the virus, Ms. James noted in her letter, adding that Mr. Jones’ claims are “incredibly dangerous.”
“As the coronavirus continues to pose serious risks to public health, Alex Jones has spewed outright lies and has profited off of New Yorkers’ anxieties,” Ms. James, a Democrat, said in a statement.“As the coronavirus continues to pose serious risks to public health, Alex Jones has spewed outright lies and has profited off of New Yorkers’ anxieties,” Ms. James, a Democrat, said in a statement.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, Nicole Hong, Rebecca Liebson, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Sharon Otterman, Eliza Shapiro, Katie Thomas, Ali Watkins and Benjamin Weiser.Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, Nicole Hong, Rebecca Liebson, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Sharon Otterman, Eliza Shapiro, Katie Thomas, Ali Watkins and Benjamin Weiser.