Trump asks shuls to close now

While most Orthodox institutions have complied with government requests to limit or suspend activites because of the coronavirus crisis, there have been exceptions, including some in the 5 Towns and elsewhere on Long Island where most Orthodox rabbis closed their shuls. (See updated statement by 5 Towns rabbis below.)

In a conference call early Tuesday evening with dozens of admorim and rabbonim, the White House reportedly urged reluctant Orthodox leaders to fall in line, reported Yeshiva World News.

The White House complained “of the total lack of concern in the Orthodox Jewish community in the NY/NJ area, despite the non-stop calls from health officials and doctors to take serious action” and said that if the coronavirus crisis  is not taken seriously it will “turn into a serious issue of pikuach nefesh,” YWN reported.

The White House called on any yeshivos that are still open to close immediate and said parents whose children are still going to those schools should stop stending them.

At least 100 people have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus in Boro Park, through mid-day on Tuesday.

An official at Asisa, an urgent care clinic in neighborhood that caters to the Hasidic community, told JTA that the positive tests came since the clinic began testing on Friday morning. Asisa has conducted 1,000 total tests through mid-day on Tuesday, the official said.

CORRECTION [March 22]: An earlier version of this story included an incorrect reference to the Roslyn Synagogue. The Roslyn Synagogue was closed on Shabbos March 13-14, reopening for weekday minyanim until it closed completely on Tuesday March 17. The Jewish Star apologizes for the error.