New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday that New Yorkers should prepare for the possibility of a “shelter-in-place” order within the next 48 hours. 

The measure would be a step up from the city’s last order shutting down public schools as well as thousands of bars, restaurants, gyms, and casinos. 

It would also be the first of its kind on the East Coast and the most aggressive effort by a single municipality to halt the spread of the coronavirus, but the specifics have not been outlined. 

“All New Yorkers, even though a decision has not been made by the city or the state, I think that all New Yorkers should be prepared right now for the possibility of a shelter-in-place order,” he stated.

So far, just six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area have passed similar orders that starting Tuesday shut down all non-essential businesses and directed individuals to stay inside as much as possible until at least April 7.

The Northern California orders stopped short of prohibiting people from leaving their homes without express permission. Residents can still go out to obtain health care, shop for essentials, and provide assistance to friends and family members. A total of 6.7 million people fall under the orders 

New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson has pressured de Blasio to follow the Bay Area’s lead. He told WYNC radio on Tuesday that he feels the city is acting too slow in enacting stricter measures. 

The New York Times reported on Monday that there has also been pressure from within de Blasio’s administration to push ahead with more aggressive measures. 

Share:
More In Culture
EdTech Platform Multiverse Raises $220M to Expand Professional Apprenticeships
Tech apprenticeship platform Multiverse became a unicorn with a $1.7 billion valuation, after raising $220 million in a Series D round. As companies across the country face challenges in hiring and retaining tech talent, Multiverse says it's trying to offer a solution with a new way to train and hire workers that can serve as an alternative to college and corporate training. Sophie Ruddock, VP and GM North America of Multiverse, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Shaq on Stephen Curry: 'Greatest Shooter of All Time'
Cheddar's Kristen Scholer caught up with all-time NBA great Shaquille O'Neal in his hometown of Newark, NJ, working with Icy Hot to repair rundown basketball courts around the country. The Hall of Famer also spoke about the current NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors and had a lot of praise for the Warrior's guard Stephen Curry. "He's the greatest shooter of all time. I had a conversation with Stephen A. [Smith], where does he rank? He's a special player. He has his own category," Shaq said.
Load More