With New York City being the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, some of the city’s most popular shopping streets located in Soho neighborhood have all been shut down.
Photos captured last week of the world-famous area — home to luxury retailers like Dior, Louis Vuitton, Coach and Dolce & Gabbana — depict a jarringly different Soho. Sidewalks once bustling with tourists are now empty and several storefronts once packed with eager customers are now boarded up with sheets of plywood. Stores located on N.Y.C.’s other shopping destination, Fifth Avenue, has also followed suit, as well as luxury stores in Los Angeles’ famous Rodeo Drive.
Why bolt the doors? The designer brands are seemingly preparing for riots and civil unrest when New York City’s government-mandated shelter-in-place order eventually lifts. The trend follows that in Europe, where shopping destinations in London and Milan have covered their windows so expensive merchandise is no longer visible, the New York Times reports.
Under the order, 100 percent of non-essential workers are to be at home except for trips to get groceries, medications and other needed items, and must stay six feet apart from each other. Residents are allowed to go outside for walks and exercise, but only if they are solo.
“It’s not laying in a park with 10 other people and sharing a beer — that’s not what this is,” Cuomo said.
Essential workers — those in health care, grocery and pharmacy staff and utility workers — are to continue.
“These are not helpful hints. These are legal provisions. They will be enforced,” Cuomo said. “There will be a civil fine and mandatory closure for any business that is not in compliance.”
As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes ,PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments and visit our coronavirus hub.
Source: Read Full Article