Private schools in the Town of Palm Tree remained open this week, despite Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s and Orange County's orders to shut down during the coronavirus outbreak.

Neuhaus says Palm Tree leaders have agreed to close private schools, as a result of that order, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, despite a public speech in Yiddish by Satmar Grand Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum Monday ordering all schools to remain open.

"Any places of congregation - synagogue, church - needs to be shut down too. That is posing a big problem in Palm Tree as well. They've gotten the orders, we've put them out, they know the rest and I believe that they understand at this point," says Neuhaus.

Neuhaus says he's continuing to work with all community leaders in the county on ways to reduce the impact of coronavirus.