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Work at Belmont arena stops amid state's ban on non-essential construction

Construction continues at the New York Islanders new Belmont arena on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 in Elmont. Credit: Howard Schnapp

Construction work on the Islanders’ arena at Belmont Park was stopped on Friday as part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced during his daily briefing on the coronavirus crisis that "non-essential constuction will be stopped" and efforts will focus on building four new hospitals in the New York City area, including at Aqueduct. He said they need to increase the number of hospital beds to 140,000 from 53,000.

Cuomo's executive order does not specify a timeframe for the stoppage of non-essential construction.