States in the New York City area will act together to suppress gatherings and commerce to arrest the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Crowds of more than 50 are banned, and bars, restaurants and gyms will close at 8 p.m. Monday.
“Everyone needs to stay in and be safe,” said Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, who spoke to reporters on a conference call with governors Andrew Cuomo of New York and Ned Lamont of Connecticut.
The concerted action echoed a recommendation late Sunday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is among the most aggressive actions nationwide to protect citizens from Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus.
With the federal response muddled and sluggish, mayors and governors have been on the cutting edge of virus response. The governors are taking steps “amid a lack of federal direction and nationwide standards,’ according to a statement.
”If the federal government doesn’t step up quickly states are going to be forced to do stuff on their own,” Cuomo said.
On Sunday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city’s public schools -- encompassing some 1.1 million students -- will close until at least April 20. California Governor Gavin Newsom called for all of the state’s bars and wineries to close and for restaurants to cut capacity by half, while advising the state’s 5.3 million citizens above 65 to isolate themselves in their homes. The governors of Ohio and Illinois closed bars and restaurants.
In the Northeast, the regional cooperation announced Monday may extend into Pennsylvania and other nearby states, into the Midwest, along the Mid-Atlantic and into New England, the governors said.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations will remain open, Murphy said, and Cuomo agreed. The governors are also discouraging the public from engaging in nonessential travel from 8 p.m. to 5 am. Bars and restaurants may do take-out and delivery service only, Cuomo and Murphy said.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.