Times Square is deserted as New York City is SHUT DOWN to slow coronavirus spread: Streets empty out, bars and restaurants shut and casinos, movie theaters and gyms all close as more than 300 cases are confirmed in the Big Apple
- Bars, restaurants and theaters across New York, including New York City, have officially closed as of 8pm
- Photos of New York's Times Square show the iconic tourist attraction nearly abandoned on Monday afternoon
- New Jersey has enacted curfew of 8pm until 5am - when people should only leave homes for essential travel
The city that never sleeps has been forced to shutdown its bars, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms, including those in New York City's iconic Times Square, in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Photos of one of the most famous tourist attractions in the Big Apple show a relatively quiet scene with only a handful of people walking under Times Square's bright lights on Monday.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the closure of New York City's normally hectic bars and restaurants on Sunday evening. The restaurants are now restricted to take-out and delivery only as of 8pm Monday night.
The city that never sleeps has been forced to shutdown its bars, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms, including those in New York City's iconic Times Square, in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus
An empty Times Square outside dining area is seen on Monday afternoon as the city begins to lockdown to combat coronavirus
The mayor said New York will close its bars and restaurants for 'as long as necessary' along with casinos, gyms and movie theaters as part of an effort with neighboring states Connecticut and New Jersey to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Monday also marked the first day of school closures for New York City, which educates 1.1 million students. The closure will last until April 20.
Restaurants, pizzerias and even Starbucks stores started placing signs on the front of their doors to inform customers that they would only be open for 'grab-and-go' options.
Times Square's subway station at 42nd Street was nearly empty during rush hour on Monday morning.
New Jersey has also launched a statewide 'curfew' between the hours of 8pm and 5am for all 'non essential travel' but it is unclear what that is or what will happen to anyone who does not follow the rules.
The state's governor, Phil Murphy, has not confirmed whether or not people will be able to go to work between those hours or how he plans to enforce it, but is only saying that he 'strongly discourages' anyone from leaving home between those hours.
New York Gov Andrew Cuomo announced the shutdown in a tweet on Monday morning after urging President Donald Trump to shut down the country to fight coronavirus and said the current 'patchwork quilt' system of some states being more vigilant than others is not working.
The Times Square subway station was nearly empty on Monday due to fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak
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