Coronavirus Outbreak in USA: New York Mayor Asks Citizens to Be Prepared For Being Ordered to 'Stay at Home' Within Next 48 Hours
Bill de Blasio told reporters that a decision had not been made but that New Yorkers could soon be confined to their residences, barring any essential travel. His comments came a day after San Francisco's mayor announced a 'remain-in-place' order restricting millions of Californians to their homes except for basic needs.
New York, March 18: New York's mayor said Tuesday the city's 8.6 million inhabitants should prepare for being ordered to stay at home at any moment within the next 48 hours to help contain the coronavirus pandemic. Bill de Blasio told reporters that a decision had not been made but that New Yorkers could soon be confined to their residences, barring any essential travel.
"I think that all New Yorkers should be prepared right now for the possibility of a 'shelter-in-place' order," the mayor said. "I think we have to come to that decision in the next 48 hours," he added, without specifying what exactly the order would look like. Coronavirus In US: COVID-19 Spreads to all 50 States of America, Check The State-Wise Map of The Spread of The Pandemic in USA.
His comments came a day after San Francisco's mayor announced a "remain-in-place" order restricting millions of Californians to their homes except for basic needs.
Also Monday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced he was limiting the movements of residents of the state in a bid to contain the outbreak.
He said "all non-essential and non-emergency travel" between 8:00 pm and 5:00 am was "strongly discouraged." De Blasio said any decision about New York would be taken in consultation with state Governor Andrew Cuomo.
New York's restaurants and bars were ordered closed this week, except for takeout, and the city's large public schools system is also shuttered as officials scramble to slow the spread of COVID-19. The virus has claimed seven lives in New York City, with confirmed cases at 814, according to officials.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 18, 2020 11:28 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).