NYC shutting down all venues, nightclubs, bars & restaurants amid coronavirus
New York continues to ramp up its response to the coronavirus pandemic; Governor Cuomo passed a mass gathering ban that went into effect on Friday, and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that on Monday (3/16), he’ll sign an executive order closing music venues, nightclubs, and movie theaters in the city, and limiting restaurants, bars, and cafes to take-out service only. The order goes into effect Tuesday (3/17) at 9 AM. More from the Mayor’s Twitter:
Our lives are all changing in ways that were unimaginable just a week ago. 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.
The virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants, bars and places where we sit close together. We have to break that cycle. Tomorrow, I will sign an Executive Order limiting restaurants, bars and cafes to food take-out and delivery.
Nightclubs, movie theaters, small theater houses, and concert venues must all close. The order will go into effect Tuesday, March 17 at 9:00 AM.
This is not a decision I make lightly. 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.
Many NYC venues and movie theaters had already opted to temporarily close in response to the pandemic.
Numerous tours, shows, and festivals have been postponed or cancelled worldwide, as well.
Meanwhile, the CDC issued a recommendation earlier today that “for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S.”
