Mayor Bill de Blasio speaking to the media (Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)
Oct. 4, 2020 By Christian Murray
Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to shut down all non-essential businesses—as well as public and private schools—in Kew Gardens and Kew Gardens Hills starting Wednesday.
The mayor, in a press conference this morning, said that the shutdown would apply to nine ZIP codes across Brooklyn and Queens, including the Kew Gardens ZIP code of 11415 and the Kew Gardens Hills/Pomonok ZIP code of 11367. The shutdown would go into effect on Wednesday.
The only other area in Queens subject to the shutdown is the Edgemere/Far Rockway ZIP code of 11691.
The Kew Gardens ZIP code of 11415 is part of the shutdown
The plan, which requires the state to sign off on, would see bars and restaurants closed–with exception of takeout and delivery service–as well as all other non-essential businesses. Both public and private schools will be ordered shut.
The nine ZIP codes have had a positivity rate above 3 percent for the last seven days.
“It gives me no joy in saying this,” de Blasio said this morning. “It will be difficult for people in these communities…but it is necessary to stop it in these communities and beyond.”
In the “best-case scenario,” the shutdown will last 14 days. But de Blasio added that the shut down for the nine ZIP codes could last up to 28 days. The nine areas account for 100 public schools and 200 non-public schools, he said.
The nine ZIP codes where shutdowns will go into effect Wednesday–upon state approval
The mayor has also put 11 other neighborhoods/ZIP codes on a watch list—including four in Queens– and is rolling back some services. Gyms, pools and indoor dining in these 11 neighborhoods will be closed starting Wednesday, upon state approval. However, all schools and non-essential businesses will still be able to remain open.
The 11367 ZIP code is one of the nine ZIP codes subject to the full shutdown
The mayor warns that if the rate creeps up above 3 percent for a seven day period they will be subject to a shut down too.
The Queens ZIP codes on the watchlist include 11374 Rego Park; 11366 Fresh Meadows/Hillcrest; 11432 Hillcrest/Jamaica Estates/Jamaica Hills; and 11365 Auburndale/.Fresh Meadows/Pomonok/Utopia.
The 11 ZIP codes the mayor has placed on a watchlist. Gyms, indoor pools and indoor dining will be prohibited in these neighborhoods starting Wednesday, upon state approval
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