The mayor of New York Bill de Blasio has declared an emergency state in the city amid the spread of coronavirus, New York CBS Local reported. 

The goal is “to protect those areas no matter what,” he said.

“This is going to be a long battle. This is going to be a tough battle,” de Blasio said. “It is going to be a long, painful episode.”

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has already banned gatherings of over 500 people, leading to the shuttering of Broadway shows. The ban has an impact on New Yorkers' daily life.