In Reversal, N.Y.C. Will Close Schools and Businesses in Hard-Hit Areas

Credit...Mark Abramson for The New York Times





Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Sunday that he intended to “rewind” the reopening of nine neighborhoods in New York City that have had a testing positivity rate of more than 3 percent over the last seven days.

That means the closure of nonessential businesses and public and private schools in those neighborhoods, which are in Brooklyn and Queens. Many of them have large populations of Orthodox Jews, and the virus has been spreading rapidly in those communities in recent weeks.

“Today, unfortunately, is not a day for celebration,” Mr. de Blasio said. “Today is a more difficult day.”

The mayor’s plan, which still must be approved by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, marks the first major reversal in the city’s reopening since it was hit hard by the coronavirus in March.

The nine ZIP codes include portions of Far Rockaway, Borough Park, Midwood, Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Sheepshead Bay and Kew Gardens.

The city is also closely watching 11 additional ZIP codes that Mr. de Blasio described as a “real concern."

In those neighborhoods, the city will curtail indoor dining, which has only just begun.

Comments

You Can Also Read

Remembering the 1918 Influenza Pandemic

Man Utd sack Mourinho after poor start to the season

Top 20 richest Nollywood actors and actresses in 2024

Text of Jonathan’ s New Year broadcast

Osun governor Ademola Adeleke replaces sacked APC LG chairmen with civil servants

Atiku condemned Senator Elisha Abbo assault act

Unsealing of Christ's Reputed Tomb Turns Up New Revelations