New York bans gatherings of 500 or more people due to coronavirus
Joining other mass gathering bans happening across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, New York State governor Andrew Cuomo has announced a ban on gatherings of 500 or more people in the state, starting Friday (3/13) at 5 PM. In addition, in places with an occupancy of 500 people or fewer, he says the legal capacity will be reduced by 50%. Read his tweets below.
The new rules applies to Broadway theaters, and for them it goes into effect today (3/12) at 5 PM. For other places, including concert venues, it begins on Friday (3/13) at 5 PM.
Speaking at a press conference today, NYC mayor Bill de Blasio said arenas like Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center could remain closed for “a number of months.”
We expect these new rules to cancel or postpone most if not all area concerts, but are waiting to hear official word from bands and venues.
We are taking new actions to reduce the density of people across the state.
Starting Friday at 5pm, gatherings with 500 people or more will not be permitted in NYS.
Additionally, for facilities with an occupancy of 500 or fewer, we are reducing the legal capacity by 50%.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 12, 2020
For Broadway theaters in Manhattan, these rules will go into effect at 5pm TODAY.
We have already spoken to the theaters about these new measures and they agreed.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 12, 2020
We must plan for every contingency & we are taking measures to create a reserve workforce of health care professionals in the event of a staffing shortage.
We are identifying potential reserve staff now, incl. National Guard medics, medical school staff, former drs/nurses & more
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 12, 2020
We are focused on taking special precautions with nursing homes & senior care facilities.
We are requiring that all staff at nursing homes wear masks and be monitored for symptoms.
No non-medical staff will be permitted to visit nursing homes.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 12, 2020
Our priority is treating infected patients, and we are carefully watching the hospitalization rate and looking at options:
-Accelerating staffing
-Identifying State facilities that could serve as temporary hospitals if needed
-Coordinating among upstate/downstate hospitals— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 12, 2020
