New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that small theatres, nightclubs, movie theatres, gyms, and concert venues must all close, effective 8 PM, Monday, March 16. The mandate comes as efforts intensify nationwide to curb the spread of coronavirus and just a day after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the closure would go in effect the morning of March 17.
Connecticut and New Jersey will also enact the same restrictions, with restaurants and bars limited to takeout and delivery only. Grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies will remain open. A similar executive action was taken by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; all L.A. entertainment venues, nightclubs, bars, and restaurants are closed through March 31. Restaurants will still provide takeout/delivery.
The restrictions come on the heels of the CDC's recommendation that all gatherings of more than 50 people be postponed for at least eight weeks, which would extend the Broadway closure into May. The Broadway League released a statement March 16, saying, "We are currently in discussions about the most recent recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and are prepared to follow the direction of any mandated closures from city, state, and health authorities. We continue to closely monitor the changing situation daily.”
Playbill will continue to update the story as information becomes available.
