The mayor of Teaneck, N.J. asked all residents to self-quarantine on Saturday after 18 residents tested positive for coronavirus.
Residents in the township of 41,000 are being asked to remain at home and only leave to get food or medicine, Northjersey.com reported.
Teaneck is Bergen County’s “ground zero” for the virus, Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin said in urging the self-quarantine.
“There are people that don’t understand that this is something we haven’t seen since World War II,” he said.
“We don’t have enough test kits, every day more and more people will be getting sick. We need everyone to understand that they can infect someone or someone can infect you,” he added.
“When I say stay home that doesn’t mean go out to lunch with your friends across the street. That means no playdates, that means your nuclear family stays with your nuclear family.”
Meanwhile, in nearby Hoboken, N.J., the mayor announced in a tweet that “all bars and restaurant establishments, with and without a liquor license, are no longer permitted to serve food,” though delivery and takeout service will be allowed.
Alcohol will be banned from being served at bars and restaurants beginning March 15, the edict added.
Hoboken will also begin a strict curfew from 10 p.m. through 5 a.m. beginning Monday.