POTSDAM -- Village of Potsdam facilities have been closed to any large meetings and gatherings by outside groups until further notice,

Village Mayor Ron Tischler said Saturday the restrictions are part of the worldwide effort to stem the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, and are based on the state of emergency declared in St. Lawrence County, the temporary closure of all public schools in the county, and advice from health authorities and New York State.

Mayor Tischler said the order applies to village offices, the community room, and the Potsdam Public Museum in the Civic Center on Park Street, and Pine Street Arena.

The public will have access to Civic Center offices for payment of village utility and tax bills, code office business, issuance of birth and death certificates, and other essential services. Tischler said.

He said the order will remain in place until consultations with other officials result in a decision to rescind it.

The scheduled meetings of the village Board of Trustees at 6 p.m. Monday in the Civic Center's second-floor board room, and of the planned Downtown Revitalization Initiative Local Planning Committee from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the third floor community room, are still set to take place, but the schedule is subject to change, Tischler said.