New York City Mayor Threatens to ‘Permanently’ Close Places of Worship That Resist Shutdown Order

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 threatened to “permanently” close churches and other places of worship that decline to follow the city’s order to stop holding services.

Referencing social distancing guidelines, the city issued in response to the CCP virus pandemic, de Blasio said a number of churches and synagogues have shifted services online or to the radio.