On Astoria’s busy 30th Avenue, many storefronts were shuttered Monday, the first weekday under Gov. Cuomo’s executive order forcing all non-essential businesses to close.

Even some shops deemed “essential” by the state were closed anyway: a Greek eatery and a  laundromat, both of which posted signs on their doors urging customers to “stay safe.” At another laundromat on 30th Avenue and 29th Street, a sign advised that no more than 10 people could be inside at any time, and customers could not stay to fold their clothes; it was wash and dry only. A nearby pharmacy was limiting shoppers to five at a time.

At Athens Square Park, on 30th Avenue and 30th Street, the gate to the playground was open but included a Parks Department sign warning visitors to “exercise alone and use social distancing.”

Still, some residents could be seen grouping together: Four people stood under a bus stop shelter to get out of the rain. When the Q18 bus pulled up, a sign at the front door notified riders that they would have to board at the back of the bus — a policy the MTA put in place Monday to better protect its bus operators from infection.

Meanwhile, on 204th Street in the Norwood section of the Bronx, some stores were shuttered: A lunch counter, an optician, a couple realty offices. But the majority of retail establishments were open at midday: tax-preparation offices, a cellphone store, several 99-cent stores, the pet store, a hardware store, a bakery, the butcher, a fish store, all the pharmacies and several restaurants doing take-out (both pick-up and delivery).

In the area around Yankee Stadium, street vendors were still working. Banks operated with few customers. Liquor stores kept selling.

People on the street in Woodhaven seemed avoid each other at all costs: crossing streets, pacing themselves while walking so they never got too close to other pedestrians and pausing before an act like opening a door, that they might pull out a tissue or don gloves. 

COVID shutdown image 1

Daniel Parra

COVID shutdown image 2

Daniel Parra

backdoor boarding COVID

Jeanmarie Evelly

Riders board a Q18 bus from the back door, part of a new MTA policy to protect bus operators from infection.
COVID shutdown image 4

Daniel Parra

bar

Sadef Ali Kully

delivery driver

Jeanmarie Evelly

A delivery driver waits outside a restaurant on Astoria Boulevard. City eateries are only offering delivery and takeout under new COVID-19 rules.
Closed sign sonali

Jeanmarie Evelly

A sign in the door of a money-wiring shop on Newtown Avenue in Astoria.
COVID bus stop

Jeanmarie Evelly

Not too distant: Bus riders wait under a bus shelter on 30th Avenue to escape the rain.
guys walking

Sadef Ali Kully

COVID-19 playground

Jeanmarie Evelly

The playground at Athens Square Park bore a sign asking visitors to exercise alone.
204th street

Jarrett Murphy

A restaurant, gift shop, bodega and optical store were shuttered on 204th Street in the Bronx. 99 Cent Stores, pizzerias and tax-prep firms were open.
Salerno's Pizza

Jeanmarie Evelly

A pizzeria on 30th Avenue offering only take-out orders.