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N.Y., N.J. and Conn. Enact Broad Shutdowns Over Coronavirus: Live Updates N.Y., N.J. and Conn. Enact Broad Shutdowns Over 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 ordered closed.
All schools in New York State are also closing for at least two weeks, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced. The move came on the heels of the closing of New York City’s public school system, the nation’s largest, for at least five weeks. All schools in New York State were also closed for at least two weeks, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced. The move came after New York City’s public school system, the nation’s largest, were shut for at least five weeks.
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. Casinos, gyms and movie theaters in the three states must close by 8 p.m. Monday, Mr. Cuomo of New York said on a joint call with his fellow governors, Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey and Ned Lamont of Connecticut.
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 will be limited to takeout and delivery, Mr. Cuomo said.
Groceries, gas stations, pharmacies and some other essential businesses will be allowed to remain open. The governor said he was also encouraging, but not yet ordering, other businesses to close at 8 p.m. Groceries, gas stations, pharmacies and some other essential businesses can stay open. Mr. Cuomo said he was also encouraging, but not yet ordering, other businesses to close at 8 p.m.
The closing of bars and restaurants preempts the plan for New York City, which announced on Sunday that restaurants, bars, nightclubs, small theaters, and movie houses would all close on Tuesday morning. That deadline is now moved up to Monday night. The closing of bars and restaurants pre-empted a plan by New York City, which announced on Sunday that restaurants, bars, nightclubs, small theaters, and movie houses would close Tuesday morning.
“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.
Some of the region’s most famous landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Empire State Building, also shut down.Some of the region’s most famous landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Empire State Building, also shut down.
On Monday, Mr. Cuomo praised the increase in capacity to test for the virus afforded to the state by the federal government, but criticized the Trump administration’s overall response to the crisis. “It’s inexcusable,” Mr. Cuomo said of the federal response. “We’re doing the best we can.” On Monday, Mr. Cuomo praised the federal governor for letting the state increase its capacity to test for the virus, but he also criticized the Trump administration’s overall response to the crisis.
Mr. Cuomo and his counterparts said there were no plans to close public transit anywhere in the region. “It’s inexcusable,” Mr. Cuomo said of the federal response.
Officials have emphasized that mass transit must run to keep the health care system functioning. If there were shutdowns, health care workers would have difficulty reaching hospitals and other health care facilities. Mr. Cuomo and his counterparts said there were no plans to close public transit in the region.
As of Monday, New York State had 950 confirmed coronavirus cases, officials said, up from 729 on Sunday. Seven people have died from the virus. 158 people have been hospitalized. Officials have emphasized that mass transit must continue to operate to keep the health care system functioning. Shutdowns would make it difficult for health care workers would reaching hospitals and other facilities.
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. As of Monday, New York State had 950 confirmed coronavirus cases, officials said, up from 729 on Sunday. Seven people had died from the virus; 158 people have been hospitalized.
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. New Jersey had 98 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Sunday, up from 31 the day before. Two people in the state had died after testing positive for the virus. Connecticut had reported 26 confirmed cases and no deaths as of Sunday
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. 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.
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 Queens borough president and closed city senior centers. Visits to the Rikers Island jail complex were also suspended.
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The city’s Department of Health issued guidance on Sunday urging New Yorkers to act as if they personally had been exposed to coronavirus. 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.
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.
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 Albany, the state legislative session is being postponed until later in the week, said a spokesman for the Senate majority, Mike Murphy.In Albany, the state legislative session is being postponed until later in the week, said a spokesman for the Senate majority, Mike Murphy.
“We believe this is the best course to ensure the safety of the senators, staff and media,” Mr. Murphy said.“We believe this is the best course to ensure the safety of the senators, staff and media,” Mr. Murphy said.
The decision to close New York City’s 1.1-million-student public school system, effective this morning, 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, effective this morning, came after days of mounting pressure on Mr. de Blasio. The mayor had vowed to keep 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.“This is not something in a million years I could have imagined having to do,” the mayor said.
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. The city plans to restart classes on Monday, March 23, with instruction being offered online. Students who do not have computers at home can borrow laptops, and the city will work on helping students who do not have internet access get it.
“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 students, including homeless children and those with special needs.
The mayor said he hoped to reopen the school system 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 the physical school system April 20, but he cautioned that there was a strong chance 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 Jersey, most of the state’s public schools were already closed, and Mr. Murphy said that a statewide school shutdown was “imminent.”
And in Connecticut, Mr. Lamont said on Sunday that all public schools in the state would shut down on Tuesday and stay closed until at least March 31.
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.” New York City faces the prospect of sweeping job losses and business failures, with movie theaters, Broadway houses, bars, restaurants and tourism all closing down or heavily restricted.
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. Ronnie Lowenstein, director of the city’s Independent Budget Office, said the economic fallout could be more severe than the toll of crises like the 2001 terrorist attacks or the 2008 financial meltdown.
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.
“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. James Parrott, the director of economic and fiscal policies at the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, said that the city would probably lose as many as 500,000 tourism jobs, 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 tourism jobs, with lost wages amounting to $1 billion a month.
Scott M. Stringer, the New York City comptroller, estimated on Monday that 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 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.
“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 early Monday 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. He also said 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 help New York State create more hospital beds. Mr. Cuomo renewed his request on Monday for the Army Corps of Engineers to be deployed to help New York State create more hospital beds.
He called for the Army Corps to help retrofit facilities like college dormitories into makeshift medical wards. He urged the corps to help convert buildings like college dormitories into makeshift medical wards.
About 80 percent of the state’s 3,000 intensive-care beds are already full, the governor said. About 80 percent of the state’s 3,000 intensive-care beds are already full, he said.
“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.“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.
Mr. Cuomo said the state would mobilize the National Guard and work with building unions and private developers to find locations for temporary health-care facilities. Mr. Cuomo said the state would mobilize the National Guard and work with construction unions and private developers to find locations for temporary health care facilities.
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. He said that the state had identified thousands of potential hospital beds as part of the plan, including 5,000 in New York City, 2,000 in Westchester County and 1,000 each in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
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. New York’s courts postponed many criminal cases indefinitely and will stop performing all but the most essential functions to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus, officials said.
Eviction proceedings have also been suspended statewide until further notice.Eviction proceedings have also been suspended statewide 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 state’s chief administrative judge, Lawrence K. Marks, said in a memo. The move put hundreds of cases on hold. People charged with felonies who are out on bail will have their cases adjourned “until further notice,” the state’s chief administrative judge, Lawrence K. Marks, said in a memo.
Defendants awaiting trial in jail will have their hearings put off or conducted via video. People’s initial court appearances will also be conducted by video in New York City. Defendants awaiting trial in jail will have their hearings delayed or conducted via video. People’s initial court appearances will 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 to appear remotely by video.
The city has also suspended visits to city jails will be suspended starting on Wednesday. Visits to city jails will be suspended starting on Wednesday.
The city said it will increase access to phones and postage 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 would increase access to phones and postal service to help detainees stay in contact with friends and relatives, and officials said they might also establish a “televisit” system that allowed people to contact detainees using computers or mobile devices.
The suspension comes after the city Department of Correction said that a department employee had tested positive for the coronavirus.
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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. An employee of the city’s Department of Correction who tested positive for the coronavirus has died, officials said on Monday.
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.” The employee, who was not identified, was a 56-year-old investigator who had “limited contact” with inmates, the department’s commissioner, Cynthia Brann, said in a statement. Anyone who came into close contact with the person has been contacted.
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. “As we endure this loss to our community, we will continue to do everything to keep our facilities safe for everyone,” Ms. Brann said.
Ms. Brann told staff members previously that a department employee had tested positive for the virus but that the employee had not been at work for several days.
It was unclear whether the employee was among seven people in the state that officials said had died after testing positive for the virus.
Correction department investigators are responsible for examining possible misconduct by staff members and accusations against employees and inmates that involve sexual assaults.
From the beginning of his time as mayor, Mr. de Blasio has regularly spent time traveling 11 miles from Gracie Mansion in Manhattan to work out at a Y.M.C.A. in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
On Monday, amid a coronavirus outbreak that has prompted him to repeatedly call for social distancing, he was back again, shortly after Mr. Cuomo said he was ordering all gyms in New York to close to to try halt the virus’s spread.
Mr. de Blasio was widely criticized for being at the gym on Monday. Among those taking him to task was Rebecca Katz, who was once one of his top advisers.
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 was to take effect at 8 p.m., at which point all gyms, casinos and movie theaters in the state were to close, and bars and restaurants were to shift to takeout and delivery. service only
“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.”“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, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Eliza Shapiro, Liam Stack and Tracey Tully contributed reporting.Jonah Engel Bromwich, Michael Gold, Matthew Haag, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Eliza Shapiro, Liam Stack and Tracey Tully contributed reporting.