City Council Speaker Corey Johnson is calling for the city's public schools to be closed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
While specific schools affected by coronavirus have been temporarily closed, the public school system has not.
Johnson suggested during an interview on Mornings on 1 Friday that schools should be shut down "at least temporarily."
"It's not time to panic, but it is time to act," he said.
Johnson reiterated the call to close schools on Twitter later in the morning.
"Teaching and learning can not (sic) take place under these circumstances for the safety and well being of the teachers and students," he wrote.
He added that the city needs to come up with a plan for child care relief for parents who need it, as well as food and medical service for students who need those.
The mayor and schools chancellor have consistently stressed a desire for schools to remain open. Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza reiterated that call Friday morning on Mornings on 1.