NYC mayor warns more coronavirus closures are coming

NEW YORK - A day after closing New York City Public Schools for in-person learning, the mayor of New York City says everyone should expect more widespread closures citywide as the coronavirus pandemic reaccelerates.

At a Thursday morning news briefing, Mayor Bill de Blasio said it could happen as soon as a week from now.

"It's just a matter of time before indoor dining will close and other types of things," de Blasio said.  "Orange Zone rules are clear and New York City will be, before long, in that Orange Zone status."

What are Orange Zone rules?

If New York City goes into an Orange rating houses of worship will be limited to 33% capacity or 25 people maximum.  Both indoor and outdoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people.  All businesses that are deemed high-risk and non-essential would be closed.  That would include indoor dining, gyms, and hair salons.

Outdoor dining would be allowed to continue but only 4 people would be allowed at a table.

De Blasio pleaded with people to stay vigilant with mask-wearing and social distancing to prevent the numbers from continuing to increase.

Struggling businesses are fearing the worst.

"It's surviving week by week," said Julian Gaxholli, who owns three restaurants.

SECOND ROUND OF COVID SHUTDOWNS HAS NYC BUSINESSES FEARING WORST

Governor Cuomo suggested during a phone briefing that the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday will likely have a major impact on how the virus continues to spread in New York.

If the situation continued to deteriorate, there is a Red Zone status.

That would mean no mass gatherings and only businesses deemed essential would be allowed to open.  Dining would be limited to takeout.