NEW YORK - A US state started restricting residents' movements Monday in a desperate bid to contain the deadly coronavirus pandemic as American cities followed their European counterparts and shut down -- closing schools, public buildings, cinemas, restaurants and bars.
As the death toll in the United States from the fast-spreading outbreak neared 70 and infections soared above 3,700, New Jersey's governor announced he was implementing a curfew, marking a major escalation in attempts to stop the spread of the outbreak.
"Effective tonight, all other non-essential retail, recreational, and entertainment businesses MUST CLOSE after 8:00 PM," Governor Phil Murphy said.
"All non-essential and non-emergency travel in New Jersey is strongly discouraged between the hours of 8:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
"This will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. We want everyone to be home –- and not out," he added.Before the announcement, only the US territory of Puerto Rico had imposed a curfew.
New Jersey's move came as the White House denied reports that President Donald Trump was considering a nationwide curfew.
"This is not true!" Trump's Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere wrote in reply to a tweet by a CNN anchor that the plans would mean non-essential businesses having to close by a certain time each day.
On Sunday, Puerto Rico imposed a 9pm to 5am curfew -- along with the closure of malls, movie theaters, gyms and bars, in what was then the strongest measure yet on American soil.