Coronavirus cases have now surpassed more than 6,130 across 50 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, and some officials say the US could end up with a count as high as hard-hit Italy if it doesn’t make dramatic changes to the way Americans live, work and play.
Governors and city leaders have begun implementing measures to encourage residents to stay home or skip nights out to try to curb the spread of the virus.
That’s on top of guidance the federal government released Monday urging Americans to avoid eating at restaurants or bars and attending events with more than 10 people for the next two weeks.
Here’s where some of the most restrictive measures are being implemented across the US:
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
The three states ordered a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people and agreed to close casinos, gyms and movie theaters starting Monday night, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in a conference call.
Bars and restaurants will transition to take-out only services, he said.
In New Jersey, residents are no longer able to travel between the hours of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced. That guidance will be in effect for the foreseeable future, he said.
“We want everybody to be home, not out,” he said.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also signed an executive order Monday directing all restaurants, bars and cafes to close down and only provide take-out or delivery services. All entertainment venues and gyms are closed, he said.
Ohio closes polls hours before Tuesday’s primary
Ohio’s governor announced late Monday that the state’s polls would not be open for Tuesday’s presidential primary there – even though a judge denied Ohio’s earlier request to cancel it.
“To conduct an election (Tuesday) would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at an unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus,” Gov. Mike DeWine said.
Earlier, officials in Louisiana, Georgia and Kentucky said they were moving their presidential primaries to later in the year because of the spread of coronavirus.
Ohio generally has been a day or two ahead of other states in announcing restrictions, hoping to slow the virus’s spread. It was one of the first to recommend no attendance at sporting events and among the first to close its prisons to visitors.
On Sunday, DeWine ordered Ohio bars and restaurants closed to in-house patrons, though they could offer takeout service. A day later, he ordered fitness centers, gyms, bowling alleys, movie theaters, recreational centers and indoor water parks to close by end of the day.
No dining out in these states
Colorado health officials issued an order Monday directing bars, restaurants, gyms, theaters and casinos to close down for the next 30 days.