Fed cuts rates and New York City, Los Angeles close restaurants to fight coronavirus

A man walks along the National Mall as museums and many public areas are closed to the public for precaution due to coronavirus (COVID-19) spread, in Washington, U.S., March 15, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With panic buying on Main Street and fear-driven sell-offs on Wall Street, the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates to near zero on Sunday in another emergency move to help shore up the U.S. economy amid the rapidly escalating coronavirus pandemic.

The mayors of New York City and Los Angeles ordered restaurants, bars and cafes closed, with takeout and delivery the only options for food sales. Movie theatres, small theatre houses and concert venues were also ordered closed as the U.S. death toll from the outbreak hit 65.