NYC Mayor to Discuss Possible ‘Shelter-in-Place’ Order With Governor Today

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at a news briefing about COVID-19 at City Hall in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, on March 14, 2020. Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he'll discuss a possible “shelter-in-place” order with Gov. Andrew Cuomo today.

Such a decision can only be made by the state, de Blasio said during an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show.

“What I was trying to say is: this disease is moving so rapidly. Yesterday, we had over 100 new cases in New York City. We’re at almost 1,000 cases now. We’ve lost 10 people already,” he added, referring to the CCP virus, which causes a deadly disease called COVID-19.

The Epoch Times refers to the novel coronavirus as the CCP virus because the Chinese Communist Party’s coverup and mismanagement allowed the virus to spread throughout China and create a global pandemic.

“What I was saying to people: get ready for the possibility. ... This disease is going to put many, many people—thousands and tens of thousands of people’s lives in danger,” de Blasio continued.

New York City, with 8.6 million residents, is the largest city in the United States.

De Blasio said he is close to recommending Cuomo make the decision to order a shelter in place. There are components that still have to be worked out, including how people would get food and medicine if they are largely forbidden to leave their residences, the mayor said.

Dawn breaks over Manhattan as New York City struggles to contain the number of coronavirus cases, on March 18, 2020. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

“But it has to be considered seriously, starting today,” he said.

De Blasio first expressed his willingness to ordering shelter in place when asked Tuesday morning about a similar order San Francisco and nearby counties made on Monday. He told reporters on Tuesday that people living in New York City should be prepared to shelter in place within the next 48 hours.

“This is a reality that is being talked about because the crisis continues to grow. We are all deeply concerned about the direction and the trajectory,” de Blasio said at a press conference. “It has not happened yet, but it is definitely a possibility at this point.”

Cuomo said during an interview with local station NY1 on Tuesday night that “there’s not going to be any quarantine.”

“No one is going to lock you in your home. No one is going to tell you you can’t leave the city. That’s not going to happen,” he added.

His spokeswoman said that “blanket quarantine/shelter in place policies require state action” and “there is no consideration of that at this time.”

Speaking to a radio program earlier Wednesday, de Blasio said his comments a day prior were meant to prepare people mentally and emotionally “for something that well might be happening soon.”

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.