Statement by the Mayor

All New York City public schools are closed starting tomorrow, Monday, March 16th. They will be closed until at least April 20th when we'll try to re-open them. Next Monday, March 23rd, we will launch remote learning for students K-12. Starting tomorrow, we will have grab and go breakfast and lunch available for students at all schools from 7:30 am — 1 pm. They will be able to pick them up and take them home through the start of spring break, April 8th.

We are going to open dozens of regional enrichment centers across all five borough for the students of first responders, health care workers and transit workers. We are also working on providing technology and connectivity to all students. We will be examining our programming for young people to see what can be moved outdoors as the weather gets warmer. We want to provide positive options to all children during this.

We need our teachers now more than ever. Our students need you. Our families need you. You will be the backbone of serving our children in an unprecedented time and supporting our first responders, health care workers and transit workers.

Tonight we're also cracking down on businesses not following the 50% occupancy rule. Given the nature of the crisis, it’s time for violations to be written. If bars or restaurants feel they cannot stay open, we'll try to help them, but we can't have businesses over 50% capacity.

There are a few more actions we've taken today:

• The special election for Queens Borough President will be postponed.

• We are directing all hospitals to cancel all elective surgeries.

• Senior centers will be closed to all activities other than grab and go meals.

Visit schools.nyc.gov for more information.