Following the spread of the coronavirus, and after many residents of Crown Heights became infected with the deadly virus, Lubabitch headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway.
Speaking to Chabad.info, the gabbai Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Kratz said that this was done in accordance with the order of the rabbis of the neighborhood, members of the Beit Din, who told the gabbaim to close the synagogue.
The Rebbe's standing orders were that management of the synagogue be in the hands of the gabbaim chosen by the residents of the neighborhood, and in accordance with the instructions of the rabbis of the neighborhood, members of the Beit Din do not need to elaborate on an obvious matter.
From now on, prayers will be held very limited on the balcony of the sukkah, as well as access to cellars on the basement floor for those who left items they need urgently.
With the deterioration of the situation in the neighborhood as more and more cases of coronavirus patients are discovered, the neighborhood rabbis decided on the drastic step that has never been known in history, to avoid danger to life.