New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced late on Sunday that he had made the decision, though not lightly, to close "Nightclubs, movie theaters, small theater houses, and concert venues". The order, which he will sign on Monday, will take effect 17 March, at 9:00 a.m.
Bill de Blasio suggested that the pandemic may "spread rapidly through the close interactions".
New York City Mayor said that local resident "must make whatever sacrifices necessary".
New York State earlier confirmed 86 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the total of infections to 421 - the highest number in the United States. A total of 154 cases have been confirmed in New York City alone.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked all staff working at the headquarters complex in New York to telecommute until 12 April, to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.