The governors of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut announced wide business closures starting at 8 p.m. Monday to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus. Here's what you need to know:

What's closing?

Restaurants (no more dine-in options, but they will still offer delivery and takeout)

Bars (if they do not serve food)

Casinos

Gyms, fitness centers and classes

Movie theaters

Racetracks

Performing arts centers

Nightclubs

All schools public, private and parochial, starting Wednesday, March 18

Colleges and universities, starting Wednesday, March 18

When are they closing and how long will they be closed?

The businesses listed above will close at 8 p.m. on Monday, March 16, and will remain closed indefinitely, said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The three states will try to reopen these businesses on the same date, but it's unclear when that will be.

Are there exceptions?

Restaurants can offer takeout and delivery services.

Day care facilities are not being ordered to close.

"Essential businesses which are necessary for the public’s health, safety and welfare — like supermarkets and grocery stores, pharmacies, medical offices and gas stations — may remain open past 8 p.m.," Murphy said.

Online gaming and the hotel portions of casinos will remain open.

Other "non-essential" businesses not listed can remain open during the day if they make sure no more than 50 people are inside the establishment and ensure that people stay 6 feet apart. They must close by 8 p.m. each night.

Story continues below gallery

Can I travel?

Murphy announced that all "non-essential travel" between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. on "any given day" is highly discouraged.

"Unless you need to be out, we want you to be at home," Murphy said.

So if you are driving to work, work at a warehouse or are visiting a sick relative, that's OK, Murphy said.

"You're going over to a buddy’s house to drink: No, sorry," Murphy said. "We won't look kindly upon big private-property parties."

How long will these measures last?

"For the foreseeable future," Murphy said.

What happens if I don't follow these orders?

Murphy said that "if you're a nonessential business and you're staying open beyond 8, we'll give you a warning shot, but we probably won't give you two."

"Violations of the executive order can be enforced as a disorderly persons offense by county and local law enforcement," Murphy said. "It’s a case-specific analysis, and they will try to protect behavior, but everyone should assume it will be enforced."

Ashley Balcerzak is a reporter in the New Jersey Statehouse. For unlimited access to her work covering New Jersey’s legislature and political power structure, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: balcerzaka@northjersey.com Twitter: @abalcerzak