WASHINGTON – New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has ordered all nightclubs and movie theaters to close to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
The mayor also announced on Twitter on Sunday night that restaurants, bars and cafes could operate only based on takeout and delivery. The sweeping step will take effect on Tuesday at 9 a.m., as the virus is widespread across the state with 750 confirmed cases.
"Our lives are all changing in ways that were unimaginable just a week ago," de Blasio tweeted. "We are taking a series of actions that we never would have taken otherwise in an effort to save the lives of loved ones and our neighbors. Now it is time to take yet another drastic step," he added.
"The virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants, bars and places where we sit close together," he said. "We have to break that cycle. Tomorrow, I will sign an executive order limiting restaurants, bars and cafes to food takeout and delivery.
"Nightclubs, movie theaters, small theater houses and concert venues must all close," the mayor noted.
"This is not a decision I make lightly," he said. "These places are part of the heart and soul of our city. They are part of what it means to be a New Yorker. But our city is facing an unprecedented threat, and we must respond with a wartime mentality.
"We will come through this, but until we do, we must make whatever sacrifices necessary to help our fellow New Yorkers," de Blasio wrote.
There was no word on how long the businesses would remain closed. The mayor's office did not immediately respond to requests for more details on the executive order, which de Blasio plans to announce on Monday.
More than 50,000 restaurants in New York were expected to shutter by Tuesday at 9 a.m. According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurants account for more than $51 billion in annual revenue and have more than 800,000 employees.
Following suit, Reuters reported that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also ordered restaurants, bars and nightclubs to close down Sunday evening in a shared attempt to stem the outbreak. Like in New York, any restaurant, bar or cafe selling food will only be able to do so via delivery or takeout, officials said.