Gov. Andrew Cuomo is teaming up with his counterparts in Connecticut and New Jersey to combat the rapidly spreading coronavirus.
Cuomo announced that he would partner with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on a regional approach to fighting the virus amid what they criticized as a lack of direction from the federal government.
The three governors will impose uniform standards throughout their states, including limiting social gatherings to no more than 50 people effective at 8 p.m. on Monday. They will also temporarily close movie theaters, gyms and casinos effective at 8 p.m.
Restaurants and bars throughout the three states will also now only be permitted to provide take-out and delivery services. Mayor Bill de Blasio had announced on Sunday that he would limit restaurants and bars in New York City to takeout and delivery services only.
New York State has 950 cases of coronavirus as of Monday morning, the most in the country. The state has seen seven deaths from the virus so far.
Cuomo also pledged to create backup medical facilities on Monday morning, anticipating a potential overload of New York’s health care system as coronavirus cases continue to mount. He said he would “work with building unions and private developers to find existing facilities that could most easily be adapted to medical facilities.”
Georgia Kromrei contributed reporting