New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is ready to unleash a new set of lockdown measures in the Big Apple in a matter of days.
Nonessential businesses, public and private schools, and restaurants should close beginning Wednesday in Brooklyn and Queens due to coronavirus case increases, de Blasio said Sunday.
“We’re having an extraordinary problem — something we haven’t seen since spring,’’ de Blasio said.
The mayor added that regional lockdowns “will require the support and approval of the state’’ and that he’s in talks with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“This can only happen with state approval,’’ the mayor said, adding that this is “unchartered territory.” “We’ll be working to get approval.
Though schools and restaurants would close under the plan, places of worship, such as synagogues, will remain open.
The coronavirus hit New York City harder than anywhere else in the country, with 23,844 deaths.
The city, however, has faced significant financial blowbacks from lockdown measures, including an audit report from the state’s comptroller that estimated up to half of the bars and restaurants will permanently close.
“The industry is challenging under the best of circumstances, and many eateries operate on tight margins,” said State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. “Now they face an unprecedented upheaval that may cause many establishments to close forever.”
Starting last Wednesday, city restaurants were allowed to open their doors to indoor dining at 25% capacity following six months of lockdowns.
“While 25% occupancy is better than nothing, it is not sustainable for the business to operate profitably,” said Shu Chowdhury, a restaurant operations expert. “It is, however, a good start to test safety procedures to smoothly and safely increase capacity as we approach colder weather that will reduce public interest in outdoor dining.”
