Cuomo To Close Schools In New York City Hot Spots

CNBC reports:

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday ordered schools in certain New York City neighborhoods closed within a day in an attempt to halt flare-ups of the coronavirus.

The governor took the action a day after the city’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, asked the state for permission to reinstate restrictions schools and businesses in nine ZIP codes in Brooklyn and Queens where the virus was spreading more quickly than in other parts of the city.

Cuomo said the closures would take place by Tuesday, a day ahead of when the mayor wanted. “These clusters have to be attacked,” Cuomo said, likening the state to a field of dry grass ready to ignite if burning embers aren’t put out fast.

Eater New York reports:



Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a rebuff to Mayor Bill de Blasio, said during a press conference today that he wouldn’t close non-essential businesses in areas of Brooklyn and Queens with spiking COVID-19 infections.

Bars and restaurants in those areas will remain open for now, though the governor said during questioning that “there could be,” an impact to those businesses soon.

“Compliance with bars and restaurants is markedly better than it has been,” Cuomo said of the hospitality industry in New York City.