New York calls in the National Guard, creates a 'containment zone' to combat coronavirus spread

The state of New York has created a one-mile "containment zone" in New Rochelle and is using the National Guard to deliver food and clean buildings, according to the New York Times.

The extra containment measures come as a result of a coronavirus outbreak that may have started at the Young Israel synagogue. Despite the implication of the phrase "containment zone," travel will not be restricted into and out of the area.

"You're not containing people," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said. "You're containing facilities."

The National Guard will clean schools and deliver food to residents who are quarantined, hoping to limit any more potential spread of the virus outside that particular cluster.

The state's plan focuses on a "containment area" in New Rochelle with a one-mile radius centered around a synagogue believed to be at the center of the cluster, officials said.

Schools and other large gathering facilities like community centers and houses of worship within the area will be closed for two weeks beginning on Thursday, Mr. Cuomo said. Businesses such as grocery stores and delis would remain open. The state did not plan to close streets or implement travel restrictions, he said.

Of the 173 coronavirus cases in the state of New York, 108 of them are in Westchester County, where New Rochelle is located.

"New Rochelle is a particular problem," Cuomo said, according to BuzzFeed News. "The numbers continue to go up, the numbers are going up unabated, and we do need a special public health strategy for New Rochelle."

Large gathering places in New Rochelle, such as schools, houses of worship, and community centers will be shut down for a two-week period. Small businesses will remain open.

"This will be a period of disruption for the community; I understand that," Cuomo said, BuzzFeed News reported. "Shop owners don't like the disruption; nobody does. Local politicians don't like the disruption; I get it. This can't be a political decision. This is a public health decision."