The mayors of New York City and Los Angeles, the two largest cities in the United States, on Sunday said they were ordering restaurants, theatres, bars and cinemas closed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Any restaurant, bar or cafe selling food will only be able to do so via delivery or takeaway, officials said.

"The virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants, bars and places where we sit close together," said Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City. "We have to break that cycle."

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Sunday night that he was also ordering gyms closed, too.

Both mayors said they were not making these decisions lightly.

"These places are part of the heart and soul of our city. They are part of what it means to be a New Yorker," de Blasio said. "But our city is facing an unprecedented threat, and we must respond with a wartime mentality."