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Coronavirus: New York City shuts down schools, restaurants and theatres Coronavirus: States order sweeping restrictions to stem infection
(about 11 hours later)
New York City is closing schools on Monday, and restaurants, bars and other venues a day later in an effort to halt the spread of the deadly coronavirus. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has ordered sweeping restrictions on public life to take effect in the state amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said he decided to act because "our city is facing an unprecedented threat, and we must respond with a wartime mentality". Restaurants, theatres and casinos will close at 20:00 ET (24:00 GMT) Monday and non-essential shops are being urged to do the same.
Separately, the US is extending its European travel ban to include the UK and Republic of Ireland. New York and two neighbouring states, Connecticut and New Jersey, will also ban gatherings of more than 50 people.
The US has confirmed 69 deaths linked to the pandemic and 3,774 infections. The US has confirmed 69 deaths linked to Covid-19 and 3,813 infections.
New York City - which has the population of more than eight million - has recorded five deaths. Each of the victims - aged 53 to 82 - had underlying health conditions, officials say. Five other states - Ohio, California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington - will also shut bars and restaurants.
Mr Cuomo urged the federal government to deploy national resources to increase build medical capacity, which he said the state could not do on its own.
"I don't believe we are going to be able to flatten the curve enough to meet the capacity of the health care system," he said, referring to a model on the epidemic. Experts are urging the public to take measures to mitigate transmission represented by the steepness of the curve on the model.
At least 5,000 additional beds will be needed in New York City, he said, and several thousand more in surrounding counties.
Local governments in New York state are to cut their workforce by 50%, and though essential services like petrol stations and pharmacies could remain open past 20:00, they were recommended not to do so.
The governor has also asked local governments to find spaces - like university dorms and former nursing facilities - to be used as temporary hospitals in anticipation of further cases.
The changes have been ordered "amid a lack of federal direction and nationwide standards," Mr Cuomo said on Monday.
Last week, a top US health official admitted that the country's testing system for coronavirus was failing.Last week, a top US health official admitted that the country's testing system for coronavirus was failing.
President Donald Trump has said the US has "a tremendous testing set up where people coming in have to be tested".President Donald Trump has said the US has "a tremendous testing set up where people coming in have to be tested".
Correspondents say there is a growing sense of unease and confusion in America, with fears of a run on hospital beds and concern about childcare as tens of millions of children are sent home from school. Observers say there is a growing sense of unease and confusion in America, with fears of a run on hospital beds and concern about childcare as tens of millions of children are sent home from school.
What about the closures in NYC?
On Sunday, Mayor de Blasio said the city's public schools would be closed from Monday until at least 20 April, in what he described as "the painful decision".
He said officials would then review on whether to re-open, but did not rule out that schools would remain shut for the rest of the academic year.
Separately, Mayor de Blasio said that from 09:00 EDT Tuesday (13:00 GMT) the city's restaurants, bars and cafes would be limited "to food take-out and delivery".
"The virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants, bars and places where we sit close together. We have to break that cycle," he said in a statement.
New York City has about 27,000 restaurants, according to the city's health department.
Mayor de Blasio also said that "nightclubs, movie theatres, small theatre houses, and concert venues must all close".
"This is not a decision I make lightly. These places are part of the heart and soul of our city. They are part of what it means to be a New Yorker," his statement said.
Americans are waking up to a new reality as the coronavirus spreads, with store shelves stripped bare of essentials, schools closed and millions of jobs in jeopardy as businesses temporarily shut their doors.Americans are waking up to a new reality as the coronavirus spreads, with store shelves stripped bare of essentials, schools closed and millions of jobs in jeopardy as businesses temporarily shut their doors.
The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates to near zero on Sunday in another emergency move to help shore up the country's economy. President Donald Trump called the move "terrific" and "very good news."The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates to near zero on Sunday in another emergency move to help shore up the country's economy. President Donald Trump called the move "terrific" and "very good news."
Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious diseases expert, said the US was entering a new phase of coronavirus testing - but tempered the president's optimism.Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious diseases expert, said the US was entering a new phase of coronavirus testing - but tempered the president's optimism.
"The worst is yet ahead for us," Dr Fauci said."The worst is yet ahead for us," Dr Fauci said.
Vice-President Mike Pence said testing for coronavirus was expanding with more than 2,000 labs across the country ready to process tests and 10 states operating drive-through testing.Vice-President Mike Pence said testing for coronavirus was expanding with more than 2,000 labs across the country ready to process tests and 10 states operating drive-through testing.
The White House appealed to Americans not to hoard as the virus spreads, reassuring them that grocery supply chains were strong.The White House appealed to Americans not to hoard as the virus spreads, reassuring them that grocery supply chains were strong.
What measures have been taken across the US?What measures have been taken across the US?
Los Angeles has also decided to shut down the city's bars and restaurants.Los Angeles has also decided to shut down the city's bars and restaurants.
Meanwhile, 29 US states have announced that they are closing schools.Meanwhile, 29 US states have announced that they are closing schools.
Last week, President Trump declared a national emergency, freeing up to $50bn (£40bn) in relief funds. The move loosens regulations on the provision of healthcare and could speed up testing.Last week, President Trump declared a national emergency, freeing up to $50bn (£40bn) in relief funds. The move loosens regulations on the provision of healthcare and could speed up testing.
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Sunday recommended that any events with 50 or more people be called off.The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Sunday recommended that any events with 50 or more people be called off.
The CDC said that over the next eight weeks, any such gatherings should be either cancelled or postponed, adding that this advice excluded workplaces and schools.The CDC said that over the next eight weeks, any such gatherings should be either cancelled or postponed, adding that this advice excluded workplaces and schools.
The US travel ban on the UK and Republic of Ireland come into force at 04:00 GMT on Tuesday. It is an extension of an earlier measure on 26 European nations in the Schengen border-free travel area.The US travel ban on the UK and Republic of Ireland come into force at 04:00 GMT on Tuesday. It is an extension of an earlier measure on 26 European nations in the Schengen border-free travel area.
The World Health Organization has described Europe as a "new epicentre" of the coronavirus outbreak, which originated in China late last year.The World Health Organization has described Europe as a "new epicentre" of the coronavirus outbreak, which originated in China late last year.
As the result of the ban, US airports have been thrown into chaos, with long queues forming as travellers waited for hours for the screenings before passing through customs.As the result of the ban, US airports have been thrown into chaos, with long queues forming as travellers waited for hours for the screenings before passing through customs.
In New York, there were reports of a flight from Paris being boarded by customs agents wearing masks.In New York, there were reports of a flight from Paris being boarded by customs agents wearing masks.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said his office was working with airlines to improve screening times.Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said his office was working with airlines to improve screening times.
Some public health experts have noted that waiting in crowded terminals could potentially lead to more people becoming infected with the virus.Some public health experts have noted that waiting in crowded terminals could potentially lead to more people becoming infected with the virus.
How have your travel plans and holidays been affected by the coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How have your travel plans and holidays been affected by the coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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