The public schools in New York will close from Thursday to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York announced this via Twitter.

In the city, an average of 3 percent test positive with a corona test, which is the threshold at which schools must close, Blasio said. He spoke of a precautionary measure. “We have to fight the second wave of Covid-19.”

The virus badly hit new York in the spring, but it is being affected again, as is the entire United States.

Last week, catering establishments in New York state already had to deal with adjusted closing times. Cafés and restaurants that serve alcohol must close at 10 p.m., although customers are still allowed to pick up food afterwards.

Gyms are allowed to open for shorter periods, and no more than ten people can attend private meetings.

In the US, 1,707 people died from the virus on Wednesday, the highest daily number since May. The total death toll is approaching a quarter of a million, by far the highest in the world.