New York City's Second Coronavirus Shutdown Begins For Schools, Businesses In Hot Zones
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York's second coronavirus shutdown took effect Thursday in Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods with a growing number of cases.
All nonessential businesses, restaurants and houses of worship must have limited capacity in those hot spot zones.
"We can stop this challenge from turning into a full blown wave," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.
When asked how the zones were determined, de Blasio said, "They're determined by the data. They're determined by the facts. They're determined by the test results."
"All the little things we do is just to get that case count down," said Kensington resident Joseph Eperle.
WEB EXTRA: Click here for the "find your zone" map
Not everyone is pleased. Just when Sylvester Salas' cafe was starting to pick back up, things are going in reverse.
"We have to survive with what we have," he told CBS2's John Dias.
Salas can't sit customers outside and needs to rely on takeout and delivery since his side of Church Avenue is in a Red Zone, while the other side is in Orange.
"Oh man, just by this much I'm out," he said.
WATCH: Mayor De Blasio's Daily Briefing On Coronavirus In NYC
Jose Cordova's Kensington restaurant, Cinco de Mayor, is in the Orange Zone, where indoor dining is now banned and outdoor dining is limited to four people per table.
"It's empty. Two weeks ago, all of the business went boom, down," Cordova told CBS2's Aundrea Cline-Thomas.
Less than a mile away, Angelica's Cafe is in the Red Zone, which has the worst infection rates, and is now takeout and delivery only.
"If it gets worse, we think it's going to close. We gotta pay rent. We gotta pay insurance. We gotta pay taxes. So what is left for us? Nothing," Cordova said.
On Wednesday night, Brooklyn's Orthodox community showed up in massive crowds. Hundreds were once again in the street vowing to defy shutdown orders after they burned their masks in protest.
"We are going to be opening every store," said Heshy Tischler.
On Thursday, students, parents and elected leaders also let their voices be heard outside Windsor Terrace's Parkside Community Complex.
With short notice Wednesday night, the city closed that site and 60 others, even though the infection rate there was well below 3%.
"These decisions are being made based on fear, not on facts," said a parent named Travis.
"Online school, sure we get to see our teachers online, but it's not as good as going in and seeing everyone," a student added.
"It's like a form of disrespect to the highest level, for the children first and foremost," parent Alisa Minyukova said.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
- Tri-State Coronavirus Travel Advisory Quarantine List
- Resources, Hotlines, Unemployment & Covering Bills
- Remote Learning Tools For Parents Teaching At Home
- CBS2's Dr. Max Answers Your Health Questions
- What To Do If Someone Isn't Social Distancing Or Wearing A Mask?
- Expert: Parents Be Mindful Of Children's Stress After Months Of Isolation
- Chopper 2 Over Empty NYC Streets, Landmarks
- Complete Coronavirus Coverage
New York City Council member Brad Lander said he agrees with targeting hot zones, but the Windsor Terrace site had no positive test results, so it should remain open.
"In those geographies where the rates are above 3%, then it makes sense to do shutdowns to prevent spread, but that was the data and I don't understand what the new data is," he said.
Another 108 school sites have been closed since Tuesday. The new rules are expected to be in effect for at least two weeks.
Meanwhile, in Rockland County, the governor's cluster restrictions will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday and remain in place for a minimum of 14 days. Rockland is among three counties and two city boroughs the state is focusing on.
You can get the latest news, sports and weather on our brand new CBS New York app. Download here.
