Coronavirus: New Rochelle Containment Area In Effect

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — On the first day of the state-imposed coronavirus containment area in New Rochelle, several schools were closed, large gatherings were prohibited and the National Guard started distributing food and supplies and helping with the cleaning of public facilities.

Mayor Noam Bramson reassured residents amid false rumors of how the containment area actually works.

"Except for individuals subject to quarantine, residents are free to come and go and businesses are open," Bramson said.

On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the mandatory containment area, established in a 1-mile radius of Young Israel of New Rochelle, the synagogue at the center of the coronavirus outbreak in Westchester. The area also includes a portion of neighboring Eastchester.

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Large gathering places are prohibited from opening, including three public schools and a private school, the Ursuline School. All schools in the Tuckahoe district are also closed. The containment area will be in effect until March 25.

State and local officials clarified that the containment area does not prohibit people from venturing out on streets. As Cuomo said on Tuesday, "We are not containing people, we are containing facilities."

The Feeding Westchester food bank committed to helping families in need while the schools are shut down, schools Superintendent Dr. Laura Feijóo said. Breakfast bags and family food boxes will be available, she said. The family food boxes are 14 pounds and can feed a family of four for three days, Feijóo said.

Food will be distributed from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at House 4 parking lot of New Rochelle High School, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 95 Lincoln Avenue and from 9 a.m. to noon at 345 Main Street, which is the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority.

Members of the National Guard were on hand in front of the offices of WESTCOP on Lincoln Avenue Thursday helping with the distribution.

Supplies will be replenished through the district daily based on level of need, school officials said.

With 217 confirmed coronavirus cases in New York Wednesday — 121 in Westchester, six in Rockland and two in Ulster — six Westchester court rooms were closed for cleaning. Workers who had contact with an attorney infected with the virus will be placed into a precautionary quarantine.

Coronavirus in New York

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• New Rochelle Grappling With New Coronavirus Containment Zone
• Expert Offers Common-Sense Reasons Not To Panic Over Coronavirus

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