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New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Ban Gatherings of More Than 50 Because of Coronavirus: Live Updates New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Ban Gatherings of More Than 50 Because of Coronavirus: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut announced broad restrictions on public life on Monday, with gatherings of more than 50 people banned in all three states, and most nonessential businesses closed.The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut announced broad restrictions on public life on Monday, with gatherings of more than 50 people banned in all three states, and most nonessential businesses closed.
The announcement came on the heels of the closing of New York City’s public school system, the nation’s largest. All schools in New York State are also closing for at least two weeks, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced. The announcement came on the heels of the closing of New York City’s public school system, the nation’s largest.
Casinos, gyms and movie theaters in the three states will be closed effective at 8 p.m. on Monday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said on a joint call with his fellow governors. Casinos, gyms and movie theaters in the three states will be closed effective at 8 p.m. on Monday, Governor Cuomo of New York said on a joint call with his fellow governors.
Bars and restaurants would be limited to takeout and delivery, the governor said, stressing that a coordinated regional approach was necessary to prevent people from traveling from state to state to seek amenities.Bars and restaurants would be limited to takeout and delivery, the governor said, stressing that a coordinated regional approach was necessary to prevent people from traveling from state to state to seek amenities.
“Coming up with the same rules is imperative,” Mr. Cuomo said.
Groceries, gas stations, pharmacies and some other essential businesses will be allowed to remain open.Groceries, gas stations, pharmacies and some other essential businesses will be allowed to remain open.
The closing of bars and restaurants mirrors the plan for New York City, which announced on Sunday that restaurants, bars, nightclubs, small theaters, and movie houses would all close.The closing of bars and restaurants mirrors the plan for New York City, which announced on Sunday that restaurants, bars, nightclubs, small theaters, and movie houses would all close.
“When states can work together well, it makes all the difference in the world,” Mr. Cuomo said.“When states can work together well, it makes all the difference in the world,” Mr. Cuomo said.
Mr. Cuomo again criticized the Trump administration’s response to the crisis. “It’s inexcusable,” Mr. Cuomo said of the federal response. “We’re doing the best we can.”Mr. Cuomo again criticized the Trump administration’s response to the crisis. “It’s inexcusable,” Mr. Cuomo said of the federal response. “We’re doing the best we can.”
Mr. Cuomo and his counterparts said there were no plans to close public transit or rail service in or between the states.Mr. Cuomo and his counterparts said there were no plans to close public transit or rail service in or between the states.
As of Monday, New York State had 950 confirmed coronavirus cases, officials said, up from 729 on Sunday. Five people have died from the virus.As of Monday, New York State had 950 confirmed coronavirus cases, officials said, up from 729 on Sunday. Five people have died from the virus.
New Jersey had 98 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Sunday, an increase of 31 cases from the day before. Two people in the state have died after testing positive for the virus.New Jersey had 98 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Sunday, an increase of 31 cases from the day before. Two people in the state have died after testing positive for the virus.
The largest concentration of cases in New York State is in New York City, where 329 people have tested positive, up from 213 on Saturday. There were 196 confirmed cases in Westchester County, just north of New York City. On Long Island, there were 98 confirmed cases in Nassau County and at least 47 in Suffolk County. The largest concentration of cases in New York State is in New York City, where 463 people have tested positive, up from 329 on Saturday. There were 220 confirmed cases in Westchester County, just north of New York City. On Long Island, there were 109 confirmed cases in Nassau County and 63 in Suffolk County.
The city’s Department of Health issued guidance on Sunday urging New Yorkers to act as if they personally had been exposed to coronavirus.The city’s Department of Health issued guidance on Sunday urging New Yorkers to act as if they personally had been exposed to coronavirus.
Residents were asked to leave home only for essential tasks such as work, getting groceries and supplies or essential medical care.Residents were asked to leave home only for essential tasks such as work, getting groceries and supplies or essential medical care.
On Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City announced a number of other measures: He ordered hospitals in the city to cancel all elective surgery, postponed an upcoming election for the Queens borough president and closed city senior centers. Visits to the Rikers Island jail are also suspended.
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On Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City announced a number of other measures: He ordered hospitals in the city to cancel all elective surgery, postponed an upcoming election for the Queens borough president and closed city senior centers. Visits to the Rikers Island jail are also suspended. In addition, Mr. Cuomo asked all nonessential state employees who work in the southern part of the state — New York City, Long Island, and Rockland and Westchester Counties — to work from home.
In addition, Mr. Cuomo asked all nonessential state employees who work in the southern part of the state — New York City, Long Island, and Rockland and Westchester Counties — to work from home. Members of the Legislature should return to work in Albany, he said, likening them to soldiers during a war. A spokesman for the senate majority, Mike Murphy, said that the legislative session would be canceled in Albany until later in the week “when all timely business is ready to be brought for a vote.”
“The government must function,” he said. “We believe this is the best course to ensure the safety of the Senators, staff and media,” Mr. Murphy said.
No elected officials are calling for closing off the city by shutting down mass transit or roadways.No elected officials are calling for closing off the city by shutting down mass transit or roadways.
The officials have emphasized that mass transit must be running in order to ensure that the health care system continues to operate. If the subway were shut down, health care workers would have difficulty reaching hospitals and other health care facilities.The officials have emphasized that mass transit must be running in order to ensure that the health care system continues to operate. If the subway were shut down, health care workers would have difficulty reaching hospitals and other health care facilities.
The decision to close New York City’s 1.1-million-student public school system came after days of mounting pressure on Mayor de Blasio, who had vowed to keep the schools open as long as possible because so many working families depend on them not just for education but for child care and meals.The decision to close New York City’s 1.1-million-student public school system came after days of mounting pressure on Mayor de Blasio, who had vowed to keep the schools open as long as possible because so many working families depend on them not just for education but for child care and meals.
“This is not something in a million years I could have imagined having to do,” the mayor said on Sunday.“This is not something in a million years I could have imagined having to do,” the mayor said on Sunday.
Effective this morning, New York City’s public schools closed for all students and staff. The city plans to restart school next Monday, March 23 with instruction being offered online.Effective this morning, New York City’s public schools closed for all students and staff. The city plans to restart school next Monday, March 23 with instruction being offered online.
Students who do not have computers at home will be lent laptops, and the city will work on helping students who do not have internet access get online.Students who do not have computers at home will be lent laptops, and the city will work on helping students who do not have internet access get online.
“These children need you,” the mayor said in an appeal to the city’s teachers. “Keep their education going.”“These children need you,” the mayor said in an appeal to the city’s teachers. “Keep their education going.”
Some campuses will reopen on March 23 as “enrichment centers.” They will be set up to provide instruction and services for vulnerable children, including homeless students and children with special needs.Some campuses will reopen on March 23 as “enrichment centers.” They will be set up to provide instruction and services for vulnerable children, including homeless students and children with special needs.
The mayor said he hoped to reopen school on April 20, but cautioned that there was a strong chance that schools would stay shut for the rest of the academic year.The mayor said he hoped to reopen school on April 20, but cautioned that there was a strong chance that schools would stay shut for the rest of the academic year.
“The facts have given us no other choice,” he said.“The facts have given us no other choice,” he said.
In New York City’s immediate suburbs, schools in Nassau County on Long Island have closed, and schools in Westchester County just north of the city were planning to close starting Wednesday.In New York City’s immediate suburbs, schools in Nassau County on Long Island have closed, and schools in Westchester County just north of the city were planning to close starting Wednesday.
In New Jersey, most of the state’s public schools are already closed, and Gov. Philip D. Murphy said that a statewide school shutdown was “imminent.”In New Jersey, most of the state’s public schools are already closed, and Gov. Philip D. Murphy said that a statewide school shutdown was “imminent.”
And in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont said Sunday that all public schools in the state will shut down on Tuesday and stay closed until at least March 31.And in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont said Sunday that all public schools in the state will shut down on Tuesday and stay closed until at least March 31.
New York City faces the prospect of sweeping job losses and business failures, with movie theaters, Broadway, bars, restaurants and tourism all closing down or heavily restricted.New York City faces the prospect of sweeping job losses and business failures, with movie theaters, Broadway, bars, restaurants and tourism all closing down or heavily restricted.
Ronnie Lowenstein, director of the city’s Independent Budget Office, said the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak could be more severe than the toll of crises like the 2001 terrorist attacks or the 2008 financial meltdown.Ronnie Lowenstein, director of the city’s Independent Budget Office, said the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak could be more severe than the toll of crises like the 2001 terrorist attacks or the 2008 financial meltdown.
“Economic activity slows and time stops,” she said. “Everything gets affected.”“Economic activity slows and time stops,” she said. “Everything gets affected.”
New York City, which has more than 25,000 restaurants and 120,000 hotel rooms, is particularly at risk because of its reliance on tourism.New York City, which has more than 25,000 restaurants and 120,000 hotel rooms, is particularly at risk because of its reliance on tourism.
James Parrott, director of economic and fiscal policies at the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School, said the city is likely to lose as many as 500,000 jobs that cater to foreign and domestic visitors, with lost wages amounting to $1 billion a month.James Parrott, director of economic and fiscal policies at the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School, said the city is likely to lose as many as 500,000 jobs that cater to foreign and domestic visitors, with lost wages amounting to $1 billion a month.
Scott M. Stringer, the New York City comptroller, estimated on Monday that public health restrictions announced in recent days “could conservatively cost the city $3.2 billion in lost tax revenues over the next six months.”Scott M. Stringer, the New York City comptroller, estimated on Monday that public health restrictions announced in recent days “could conservatively cost the city $3.2 billion in lost tax revenues over the next six months.”
Between now and the end of June, he said restaurant sales could decline by 80 percent and real estate and retail sales by 20 percent, with hotels operating at 20 percent occupancy.Between now and the end of June, he said restaurant sales could decline by 80 percent and real estate and retail sales by 20 percent, with hotels operating at 20 percent occupancy.
“We’re facing the possibility of a prolonged recession,” Mr. Stringer said in a statement.“We’re facing the possibility of a prolonged recession,” Mr. Stringer said in a statement.
Mr. de Blasio, asked on Monday morning about relief for businesses and workers affected by the decision to close bars and restaurants, said, “We’re getting grants and loans and things for small businesses, but that’s a small piece.”Mr. de Blasio, asked on Monday morning about relief for businesses and workers affected by the decision to close bars and restaurants, said, “We’re getting grants and loans and things for small businesses, but that’s a small piece.”
“We need a massive federal relief program,” he said.“We need a massive federal relief program,” he said.
Mr. de Blasio said that feeding stations would have to be created to serve different groups, including schoolchildren whose buildings had shut down.Mr. de Blasio said that feeding stations would have to be created to serve different groups, including schoolchildren whose buildings had shut down.
“Let’s be clear,” the mayor said. “We’re getting close to a reality where the government has to insure that the food supply, that it is not only available but that it’s equitably distributed.”“Let’s be clear,” the mayor said. “We’re getting close to a reality where the government has to insure that the food supply, that it is not only available but that it’s equitably distributed.”
Mr. Cuomo renewed his request on Monday morning for the Army Corps of Engineers to be deployed to New York to combat the coronavirus outbreak by creating more hospital beds.Mr. Cuomo renewed his request on Monday morning for the Army Corps of Engineers to be deployed to New York to combat the coronavirus outbreak by creating more hospital beds.
Speaking on “Good Morning America,” the governor called for the Army Corps to help retrofit facilities like college dormitories into makeshift medical wards. He said the state government does not have the capacity to quickly build more hospitals on its own.Speaking on “Good Morning America,” the governor called for the Army Corps to help retrofit facilities like college dormitories into makeshift medical wards. He said the state government does not have the capacity to quickly build more hospitals on its own.
The state has approximately 3,000 I.C.U. beds, about 80 percent of which are already occupied, the governor said.The state has approximately 3,000 I.C.U. beds, about 80 percent of which are already occupied, the governor said.
“This is a disaster waiting to happen,” Mr. Cuomo said of the limited hospital capacity. “I don’t believe we are going to be able to flatten the curve” of rapid growth in virus cases “enough to meet the capacity of the health care system,” Mr. Cuomo said at a news conference later in the day.
The governor also called for more federal guidance on restrictions on schools, restaurants, bars and other gathering spaces. He called the current approach, in which individual cities and states make their own decisions, “an ad hoc system that is not going to work.” “Expanding the capacity of the health care system for a state is virtually impossible,” he said. “We need the federal government to play its role.”
Mr. Cuomo said the state would mobilize the National Guard and work with building unions and private developers to locate facilities such as dormitories and former nursing homes that can be turned into makeshift hospitals.
He said the state had identified thousands of potential hospital beds as part of that plan, including 5,000 in New York City, 2,000 in Westchester County and 1,000 each in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
But the governor called for more federal guidance on restrictions on schools, restaurants, bars and other gathering spaces. He called the current approach, in which individual cities and states make their own decisions, “an ad hoc system that is not going to work.”
“There has been no country that has handled this without a national response,” he said.“There has been no country that has handled this without a national response,” he said.
State courts in New York will indefinitely postpone many criminal cases and stop performing all but the most essential functions to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, officials said.State courts in New York will indefinitely postpone many criminal cases and stop performing all but the most essential functions to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, officials said.
Eviction proceedings and pending eviction orders have also been suspended statewide until further notice.Eviction proceedings and pending eviction orders have also been suspended statewide until further notice.
The state’s chief administrative judge sent a memorandum to judges, clerks and other employees on Sunday that said as of 5 p.m. on Monday, all nonessential court functions will be postponed until further notice.The state’s chief administrative judge sent a memorandum to judges, clerks and other employees on Sunday that said as of 5 p.m. on Monday, all nonessential court functions will be postponed until further notice.
The order will put hundreds of cases on hold. People charged with felonies who are out on bail will have their cases adjourned “until further notice,” the chief administrative judge, Lawrence K. Marks, said in the memo.The order will put hundreds of cases on hold. People charged with felonies who are out on bail will have their cases adjourned “until further notice,” the chief administrative judge, Lawrence K. Marks, said in the memo.
Defendants who are awaiting trial in jail will also have their hearings either put off or conducted remotely using video cameras. The initial court appearances, or arraignments, of people who have just been arrested with also be conducted by video in New York City.Defendants who are awaiting trial in jail will also have their hearings either put off or conducted remotely using video cameras. The initial court appearances, or arraignments, of people who have just been arrested with also be conducted by video in New York City.
The city’s Red Hook Community Court and the Midtown Community Court have been designated as arraignment sites for people at “medical risk” for coronavirus where they can appear remotely by video.The city’s Red Hook Community Court and the Midtown Community Court have been designated as arraignment sites for people at “medical risk” for coronavirus where they can appear remotely by video.
The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice said on Sunday that visits to city jails will be suspended starting on Wednesday. Visits are not permitted on Monday and Tuesday under the current schedule.The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice said on Sunday that visits to city jails will be suspended starting on Wednesday. Visits are not permitted on Monday and Tuesday under the current schedule.
The city said it will increase access to phones and postage stamps to help detainees stay in contact with friends and family, and officials said they may also establish a “televisit” system that allowed people to contact detainees using computers or mobile devices.The city said it will increase access to phones and postage stamps to help detainees stay in contact with friends and family, and officials said they may also establish a “televisit” system that allowed people to contact detainees using computers or mobile devices.
The move comes after Cynthia Brann, the Department of Corrections Commissioner, told staff in a memo that a department employee had tested positive for the coronavirus. She said the employee had not been at work for several days and that anyone that individual had come into contact with would be notified. The suspension comes after Cynthia Brann, the commissioner of the Department of Corrections, told staff in a memo that a department employee had tested positive for the coronavirus. She said the employee had not been at work for several days and that anyone that the individual had come into contact with would be notified.
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New York State’s presidential primary election could be moved from April 28 to June 23, the date of another scheduled statewide primary, in response to the coronavirus outbreak, officials said on Sunday.New York State’s presidential primary election could be moved from April 28 to June 23, the date of another scheduled statewide primary, in response to the coronavirus outbreak, officials said on Sunday.
Two other states — Louisiana and Georgia — have already postponed their primaries and other states are debating similar delays and alternatives, including mail-in balloting measures to avoid large crowds in public.Two other states — Louisiana and Georgia — have already postponed their primaries and other states are debating similar delays and alternatives, including mail-in balloting measures to avoid large crowds in public.
Douglas A. Kellner, co-chairman of the New York State Board of Elections, confirmed on Sunday that discussions were underway about the possibility of delaying the primary to curb the spread of the virus. But he said that no final decision had been reached.Douglas A. Kellner, co-chairman of the New York State Board of Elections, confirmed on Sunday that discussions were underway about the possibility of delaying the primary to curb the spread of the virus. But he said that no final decision had been reached.
Jonah Engel Bromwich, Matthew Haag, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Eliza Shapiro, Liam Stack and Tracey Tully contributed reporting. From the beginning of his time as mayor, Mr. de Blasio has regularly spent time traveling from Gracie Mansion in Manhattan to work out at a Y.M.C.A. in Park Slope, Brooklyn, 11 miles away.
On Monday, in the middle of a coronavirus outbreak during which he has repeatedly called for social distancing, he was there again, shortly after Governor Cuomo announced that he was ordering all gyms in New York to close in an effort to halt the spread of the virus.
The mayor’s press secretary, Freddi Goldstein, offered an explanation. “The Y.M.C.A. has been a huge part of his and his family’s life, like it has been for a lot of New Yorkers,” she said. “It’s clear that’s about to change and before that, the mayor wanted to visit a place that keeps him grounded one last time.”
Mr. Cuomo’s order does not take effect until 8 p.m., at which point all gyms, casinos and movie theaters in the state will be closed, and bars and restaurants would be limited to takeout and delivery.
“He can be in the gym this morning,” Mr. Cuomo said of Mr. de Blasio at a news conference. “You can be in the gym this afternoon. You can be in the gym this evening. You just can’t be in the gym after 8 o’clock.”
Mr. de Blasio’s morning fitness ritual has come under criticism before. Environmentalists say that his practice of driving to the Y is at odds with his attempts to fight climate change.
Jonah Engel Bromwich, Michael Gold, Matthew Haag, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Eliza Shapiro, Liam Stack and Tracey Tully contributed reporting.