AFP
CORONAVIRUS – He had resisted pressure for days, but finally resigned himself. The mayor of New York announced this Sunday, March 15 the closure of public schools in the city then that of bars and restaurants, in turn depriving the financial and cultural capital of the United States of social life in the face of the threat of the coronavirus.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced at the end of the afternoon the closure, from Monday until at least April 20, of some 1,800 schools in the city, attended by 1.1 million students – i.e. largest school district in the United States.
Then, in the evening, following the example of the Italian or French authorities, he announced that this flagship city of world tourism would sign a decree on Monday limiting the activity of restaurants, bars and cafes to take-away sales and deliveries to home “essential services for many New Yorkers” from 9 a.m. on Tuesday (2 p.m. in Paris).
Nightclubs, cinemas, small theaters and concert halls ― which had not closed after Thursday’s ban on gatherings of more than 500 people and the extinction of fires on Broadway and in most museums will also have to close as of Tuesday.
Los Angeles also reacts
“These places are an integral part of the heart and soul of our city”, lamented the mayor. “They are part of what it is to be New Yorker. But our city is facing an unprecedented threat, and we must react as if we were at war ”, he added. “We will get through this eventually, but until we do, we have to make all the necessary sacrifices,” he said.
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Join me at City Hall for an important update on our city’s response to COVID-19. https://t.co/TOVCtB9naf
– Major Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 15, 2020
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For 48 hours, the pressure on the mayor of the first American metropolis, whose number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus is increasing rapidly and reached 329 cases on Sunday, including 5 dead, has continued to mount.
The pressure was all the greater as many other American school districts, including those in Los Angeles, Seattle or Washington, representing millions of students, had already closed their establishments, as had almost all new private schools. -Yorkis.
The city of Los Angeles has also ordered all bars, restaurants and nightclubs to close from midnight Sunday, except for take-out. This ban will remain in force at least until March 31, said Mayor Eric Garcetti on his Facebook page, who signed a decree to this effect.
“It’s not easy, and I don’t take this decision lightly. We will do all we can to help the businesses and workers affected during this time, ”he wrote on his Twitter account.
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These are the emergency steps we are taking to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 & protect people across LA, effective at midnight tonight. This isn’t easy & I don’t make this decision lightly. We will do everything we can to help businesses & workers impacted during this time. pic.twitter.com/FAAOcRBDn7
– Major Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) March 16, 2020
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“Here are the emergency measures we are taking to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and protect everyone in Los Angeles, starting midnight tonight. It is not easy, and I do not take this decision lightly. We will do all we can to help the businesses and workers affected during this time ”
The most famous casinos in La Vegas closed
In Las Vegas, the MGM Resorts group announced the temporary closure of its 13 casinos and hotels. New York New York, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio … Casinos will be closed from Monday, followed by hotels. All establishments will be closed from Tuesday, for an indefinite period, the group said in a statement. The group therefore no longer offers reservations for stays before May 1.
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