Coronavirus: NY To Close All Restaurants, Bars, Movie Theaters

NEW YORK, NY — All restaurants and bars in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will close Monday night, as will all casinos, gyms, and racetracks, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday. The industries will remain closed indefinitely and the governors of the three states will coordinate a reopening date. The measure is a desperate attempt to flatten the coronavirus infection curve and comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended banning all gatherings over 50 people.

"We have agreed to a common set of rules that will pertain to all of our states so don't even think about going to a neighboring state," Cuomo said.

Cuomo said he believes the Northeast is the only region that has coordinated closures in the country and argued the federal government should have set up a uniform set of rules.

"We all agree there will be no crowds of gatherings over 50 people," Cuomo said.

To keep up to date with coronavirus developments in New York, sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

All casinos, movie theaters, restaurants and bars will close at 8 p.m. Monday, he said. Restaurants will shift to takeout and delivery. These establishments will be provided a waiver for carry-out alcohol. Supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations are not be affected.

"Our primary goal right now is to slow the spread of this virus so that the wave of new infections doesn't crash our healthcare system, and everyone agrees social distancing is the best way to do that," Cuomo said. "This is not a war that can be won alone, which is why New York is partnering with our neighboring states to implement a uniform standard that not only keeps our people safe but also prevents 'state shopping' where residents of one state travel to another and vice versa."

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement it's time to take the "strongest" and "most direct" actions to date to slow the spread of coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

"I've said many times over the past several days that, in our state, we are going to get through this as one New Jersey family," Murphy said. "But if we're all in this together, we must work with our neighboring states to act together. The work against coronavirus isn't just up to some of us, it's up to all of us."

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement that working together is the only way to effectively fight the spread of the virus.

"We have shared interests, and a patchwork of closures and restrictions is not the best way forward," Lamont said. "I know that because of this collaboration, we will save lives."

Later on Monday, Cuomo said the state is weighing whether to mandate that elective surgeries be temporarily canceled to free up space at hospitals.

Cuomo said the number of positive cases in New York reached 950, 221 of which are new. Here's the breakdown:

• New York City: 463 (134 new)
• Westchester: 220 (24 new)
• Nassau: 109 (11 new)
• Suffolk: 63 (16 new)
• Rockland: 16 (3 new)
• Albany: 12 (4 new)
• Orange: 11 (5 new)
• Dutchess: 10 (3 new)
• Monroe: 9 (7 new)
• Ulster: 7 (2 new)

Coronavirus in New York

• Coronavirus In New Rochelle: Life At The Epicenter
• New York State Of Emergency: What Does It Mean And Why?
• Doctors Use Tents, Car Exams, Hotlines To Prevent Coronavirus Spread
• Businesses Modify Practices Amid COVID-19 Worries
• Coronavirus Closing New York School Districts
• Coronavirus: Expert Explains Cluster, Containment, Testing