Village of Great Neck Mayor Pedram Bral declared a state of emergency and prohibited residents from assembling at places of public assembly in light of the coronavirus emergency.
Bral made the announcement on Friday afternoon as part of the nationwide efforts to combat spreading of the infectious virus and promote social distancing in public places.
“I am asking all of our residents to be mindful of their health, and everyone else’s surrounding them,” Bral said. “Preventing this disease from spreading is our main goal.”
According to Bral, the state of emergency, implemented on Thursday, will remain in effect for a minimum of 30 days. Bral took the action the same day Nassau County Executive Laura Curran declared the virus an “imminent threat to public health.”
By implementing the state of emergency, Bral said, the village is allowed to enforce temporary laws and orders, such as the one to control public assembly.
He issued a cease and desist order prohibiting all pedestrian and vehicular movement, standing and parking at places of public assembly, which includes places of worship.
The order can be edited, extended or limited, as late as Wednesday, and further re-evaluated every five days afterward.
Bral said restaurants and other food service establishments with a seating capacity are prohibited from displaying portable chairs in a manner suggesting their availability for use by customers.
Those places of businesses are subject to a $1,000 fine each day they fail to adhere to the executive order, which can be edited, extended or limited, as late as noon on Saturday.
Bral said he will constantly update the village’s website and his Facebook page to provide residents with the most current information.
“It’s important for everyone to remain rational during these times, and be informed with accurate information,” he said.
Bral reiterated the precautions laid out by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and urged older residents to stay in their homes as much as possible.
“People above 60 [years old] or have underlying medical conditions should stay home,” Bral said. “We are also asking for kids to not have play dates, do not go to any playgrounds, and not to assemble anywhere.”
Bral said residents are prohibited from attending the village’s board meeting on Tuesday but can follow along via live stream on the Village of Great Neck’s YouTube channel.
“We are taking these precautionary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in our village and others who they may encounter,” Bral said.
