Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a slate of new measures on Thursday, March 12 ranging from shutting down Broadway shows and events of 500 people or more to imposing restrictions on restaurants, bars and other venues in an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“We’re on a upward trajectory of this disease,” Cuomo said at a press conference. “This is going to get much worse before it gets better.”
Later in the afternoon, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency in the city.
“The last 24 hours have been very, very sobering,” de Blasio said at a separate press conference. “Yesterday morning seems like a long time ago. We got a lot of information in the course of a day yesterday and a lot changed then, then last night it just seemed the world turned upside down in the course of just a few hours.”
To date, there are 328 confirmed cases across the state, an increase of 112 overnight.
As of press time, New York City has 95 infections, 19 residents are under mandatory quarantine and 2,176 are under voluntary home isolation, numbers that the mayor calls “striking and troubling.”
Among this confirmed cases is a Broadway usher who worked at theaters housing the shows Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Six. Both productions are still in previews, with Six scheduled for an official opening on Thursday, which has now been canceled.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, there are 31 shows currently in production on Broadway and a number of new shows are scheduled to open in the next few weeks.
The new regulations will result in a number of events having to shut down, — from Broadway productions to concerts and sporting events. Broadway performances will be suspended until at least April 12, according to The Broadway League.
The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, the New York Philharmonic and Carnegie Hall have canceled all events through March 31. The Met has also suspended all rehearsals.
Beginning on Friday at 5:00 p.m., gatherings with more than 500 people will be prohibited. Exempt from that rule are schools, hospitals, mass transit and nursing homes. Broadway shows will be suspended effective Thursday evening.
“As we continue to see community transmission between people who have no direct connection to travel to one of the affected countries, we are asking New Yorkers to adjust their routines to stem the spread of the virus where they can,” de Blasio added. “I cannot reiterate enough that if you feel sick, stay home; we need every New Yorker to do their part to keep their neighbors safe.”
To reduce overcrowding, the city is advising private-sector employers and employees to consider telecommuting where possible and to consider staggered start times for workers. Those who take the subways at rush hour should consider commuting to work via alternative modes of transportation, like biking or walking, if possible.
Jersey City curfew
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop also announced restrictions on large gatherings, saying that the city is implementing a precautionary 10:00 p.m.curfew for all Jersey City establishments carrying a liquor license “to better limit uncontrolled large gatherings.”
In addition to the curfew, all non-essential city-involved events have been canceled for the next seven days, and city offices will be conducting business with the public on an appointment basis only.
Further measures outlined in the Executive Order include a requirement for all establishments with allowable public capacity greater than 25 people – such as restaurants, places of worship, and special event venues – to maintain a record of all individuals entering the establishment through a sign-in sheet with information to be used solely for the purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 by providing means of notification of potential exposure, if necessary.
There are currently no known confirmed cases of COVID-19 and no PUI (person under investigation) in the City of Jersey City and the risk of community transmission is low.
In a series of tweets, Fulop said that the city is taking on a proactive stance.
“Bottomline is we are going to be proactive as opposed to reactive being that we are in uncharted territory. All guidance is to limit large groups/contact so we will do what is needed on best practice to protect residents,” Fulop said.
While city services are still available, residents must call ahead and schedule appointments. The city also has established a hotline for anyone exhibiting symptoms or who has been exposed to the virus. Residents are urged to self-quarantine and then call the hotline at (201) 547-5208.
