Schools, Businesses Closing In 9 NYC Zip Codes Due To Coronavirus
NEW YORK, NY — Schools and non-essential businesses are expected to be closed in nine New York City zip codes beginning Wednesday due to high coronavirus positivity rates.
Mayor Bill de Blasio sent a proposal to the New York state government on Sunday seeking a closure of those facilities in the zip codes that have remained above a 3 percent positivity rate for the last seven days. The mayor's plan also calls for a temporary end to high-risk activities in 11 other city zip codes.
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All non-essential businesses, including public and private schools, will close in the Edgemere/Far Rockaway (11691), Borough Park (11219), Gravesent/Homecrest (11223), Midwood (11230), Bensonhurst/Mapleton (11204), Flatlands/Midwood (11210), Gerritsen Beach/Homecrest/Sheepshead Bay (11229), Kew Gardens (11415) and Kew Gardens Hills/Pomonok (11367) neighborhoods if the mayor's plan is adopted.
The positivity rates in those neighborhoods are at least double the city average, which is 1.5 percent, according to a New York Times report.
“New Yorkers have worked hard to fight back COVID-19, and we don’t make this recommendation lightly. But science guides our decision-making in this city – and we go where the facts take us,” de Blasio said. “Once again, it’s time for our city to dig deep and fight this virus the best way we know how: by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and looking after our seniors and most vulnerable neighbors.”
Restaurants in these neighborhoods will be allowed to continue service for pick-up and to-go meals, de Blasio said. Schools and non-essential businesses in these areas will be allowed to re-open in two weeks if positivity rates fall below 3 percent.
Activities labeled high-risk, like indoor dining, gyms and indoor and outdoor pools, will be closed in 11 other zip codes where the positivity rate has been between 2 percent and 3 percent, according to the mayor's office.
Bedford-Stuyvesant (West)/Clinton Hill/Fort Greene (11205), East Williamsburg/ Williamsburg (11211), Brighton Beach/Manhattan Beach/Sheepshead Bay (11235), Bergen Beach/Flatlands/Marine Park/Mill Basin (11234), Crown Heights (East) (11213), Kensington/Windsor Terrace (11218), Rego Park (11374), Fresh Meadows/Hillcrest (11366), Hillcrest/Jamaica Estates/Jamaica Hills (11432) and Auburndale/Fresh Meadows/Pomonok/Utopia (11365) fall into this category.
This article originally appeared on the New York City Patch
