FILE PHOTO: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo delivers remarks at a news conference regarding the first confirmed case of coronavirus in New York State in Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., March 2, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York State will ban gatherings of more than 500 people beginning on Friday at 5 p.m. (2100 GMT) in order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Friday.
Establishments that can fit 500 people or fewer must halve their capacity beginning on Friday, Cuomo said.
Broadway theaters in Manhattan will have to start observing the new rules on Thursday night, Cuomo told reporters at a news conference in Albany.
Hospitals, nursing homes, mass transit and certain other facilities will be exempt from the new rule, Cuomo said.
(Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
