Paul Bass Photo
Pharmacies and groceries will remain open, including Stop & Shop (above), with curtailed hours.
The governors of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey agreed jointly to order all bars, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, and non-tribal casinos closed Monday as of 8 p.m. until further notice to seek to stem to spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus — with the exception that restaurants can serve take-out.
The announcement came shortly after 10 a.m. in a joint press call led by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.
The three Democratic governors said they were stepping up to take uniform measures in the absence of needed federal action.
They are ordering that public events be limited to 50 people in the tristate area.
The closings are in effect under further notice. Cuomo said the governors anticipate working together to coordinate a reopening date.
“We have agreed to a common set of rules that will pertain in all of our states. So don’t even think about going to a neighboring state because there’s going to be a different set of conditions,” said Cuomo, who kicked off the telephonic press conference.
“I believe we are the only region in the country to have done this. The federal government should have set up a uniform set of rules. Absent of that,” regions need to step up.
“We all agree there will be no crowds of gatherings of more than 50 perople. If you can’t do a party in New York City, you can’t do a party in New Jersey, you cannot do a party in Connecticut over 50,” the New York governor stated.
“If you’re a bar or you’re a restaurant, you’re closing tonight at 8 o’clock for eat-in service,” Gov. Murphy said.
The governors also said they’re discouraging non-essential travel between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day.
Lamont and Cuomo said they’re discussing how to convince tribal nations to close their own casinos, over which the governors lack legal jurisdiction.
“I hope … they’ll be doing the right thing,” Lamont said.
“Amen,” Cuomo said. “This is a do-the-right-thing situation.”
Cuomo called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “to come in here now to build temporary health care capacity.” The governors said they fear hospitals being overwhelmed by a surge in severe cases.
“Everyone needs to stay in and be safe,” said Murphy, singling out young people who feel fine but can spread the virus.
“We are in this together, not as towns and cities and states but now increasingly as a region,” Lamont said.
He spoke of how other nations like Singapore have saved thousands of lives by taking “forceful” measures that “flattened the curve” of the virus’s spread.
“The feds have been asleep at the switch, slow on the draw. We’re the ones trying to make sure [hospitals] … have respirators and masks,” Lamont said.
“We’re going to get through this by working together.”
“The better and faster societies rebound the faster and sooner they work together,” Cuomo said.
Lamont spoke of how individuals need to “work together” to stem the spread. Measures include handwashing and keeping at least six feet away from others.
He also spoke of the need to help support businesses and each other in the crisis: For instance, buying gift cards to use later from restaurants, boosting telecommuting options, and keeping school cafeterias open to provide to-go meals for needy families: “I know how tough this is on families. That’s why telecommuting is so important.”
Cuomo and Lamont began cementing a working relationship on a fishing trip last August. Click here to read a story about that.
Lamont said his chief of staff is in touch with his counterparts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts about the potential of broadening the states involved in joint closings.