Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Postponed

About 200 local restaurants planned to offer 3-course brunches, lunches and dinners at a discounted price.

On Monday, the spring Hudson Valley Restaurant Week was set to begin, but officials announced at 2 p.m. the event has officially been postponed due to the coronavirus.

The news came shortly after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced all restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters in New York State must close by Monday at 8 p.m. Restaurants will still be allowed to sell food, but only for delivery or take-out.

The annual celebration of restaurants throughout the Hudson Valley will take place at a later date, officials say. Participating restaurants were supposed to span eight counties in the region, Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Putnam, Sullivan, Rockland, Westchester and Greene counties, and offer a wide variety of cuisines.

"This is a difficult time for all restaurants, and we will continue to promote those that remain open for take-out, curb-side pickup or delivery. When the dust settles on this awful virus, we will begin planning our next restaurant week, celebrating the local restaurateurs, producers, and artisans that make this region a culinary destination," Barbara Begley said in a press release.

On Sunday, the CDC recommended all large events or mass gatherings be canceled or postponed for the next two months.  The World Health Organization wants everyone to follow these five simple steps to help stop the spread of coronavirus.