Indoor portions of shopping malls, amusement parks, bowling alleys ordered closed over coronavirus

PHOTOGRAPHER: John Cropley

A nearly deserted Crossgates Mall parking lot Wednesday afternoon

ALBANY – Indoor portions of retail shopping malls, amusement parks and bowling alleys have been ordered closed as part of the ongoing response to the spread of coronavirus.

The move goes into effect at 8 p.m. Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter.

The decision was made in conjunction with Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey. The three states and New York have united over coronavirus response policy.

“Together we will reduce density and slow the spread of of #Coronavirus,” Cuomo wrote.

The decision came as area malls, including Crossgates, Colonie Center, Viaport Rotterdam and Wilton Mall had already been reducing hours in response to the pandemic.

This story will be updated.