Bars, casinos, gyms, movie theaters and restaurants are closing their doors due to the spread of coronavirus.
Cuomo on Monday said he “strongly” advises only essential businesses and services to remain open after 8 p.m. Monday. His list included gas stations, grocery stores, medical facilities and pharmacies.
Bars and restaurants will be closed to dine-in customers, but delivery and takeout services will be permitted. The state Liquor Authority will issue waivers to allow these establishments to sell carryout alcoholic beverages. .
Casinos, gyms and movie theaters will be closed until further notice. Based on the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state is also limiting social gatherings to no more than 50 people
The orders took effect at 8 p.m. Monday.
New York cooperated with two neighboring states — Connecticut and New Jersey — to adopt the temporary measures. Cuomo preferred a regional approach to prevent people from “state shopping” — a practice involving residents of one state traveling to another where the same protocols may not be in place.
“I don’t want to have a different set of rules here,” Cuomo said.
Even though the order covers only commercial casinos, the Oneida Nation said it will temporarily close its three casinos — Point Place, Turning Stone and Yellow Brick Road — on Monday.
Mandatory closures haven’t been ordered, but Cuomo didn’t rule out taking that action.
