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Orthodox school closed by NYPD after dozens of children found taking classes despite the city's lockdown orders

'I can’t stress how dangerous this is for our young people,' says Mayor Bill de Blasio

Oliver O'Connell
New York
Tuesday 19 May 2020 17:40 BST
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NYPD shuts down Orthodox school operating during lockdown

New York City police shut down an Ultra Orthodox Jewish school in Brooklyn after neighbours complained that classes were taking place despite the city and state coronavirus lockdown orders.

Officers found more than 60 children inside the Nitra Yeshiva on Madison Street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighbourhood on Monday.

City authorities were alerted by tip-offs from two people that children were playing on the roof of the building without masks and were not adhering to social distancing rules.

Police informed an adult present that the school was in violation of state orders and that it needed to be shut down. Children in masks were then seen exiting the building and boarding buses.

No charges were filed and no summonses were issued, but a cease and desist order will be issued by the city’s Health Department and served by the Sheriff’s office.

A repeat offence would be classified as a misdemeanour and could be punishable by a fine, forfeiture, or even imprisonment.

Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted: “Earlier today the NYPD shut down a Yeshiva conducting classes with as many as 70 children. I can’t stress how dangerous this is for our young people. We’re issuing a Cease and Desist Order and will make sure we keep our communities and our kids safe.”

Since the beginning of the city and state’s lockdown orders, police have responded to several large gatherings in Ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods including the funeral of a prominent rabbi when thousands of people filled the streets.

The mayor has voiced his frustration that the Orthodox community repeatedly violates social distancing guidelines against large gatherings.

The Jewish community feels it is being unfairly singled out over other groups.

While some spikes in cases of coronavirus have been reported in Ultra Orthodox neighbourhoods in the time since the virus hit the city, data collected by The New York Times does not appear to show a higher than average level of cases or deaths in those locales.

Speaking on NY1 the mayor said the city would enforce restrictions on gatherings everywhere.

"I've had this conversation with leaders of a variety of communities. We're going to treat everyone the same, no gatherings, period,” Mr de Blasio said.

As of Tuesday, New York City has 198,114 confirmed cases of Covid-19, and has recorded an official death toll of 20,298.

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