The coronavirus outbreak had caused the city to lose US$9 billion in revenue and forced a US$7 billion cut to the city’s annual budget, de Blasio told reporters.

The furloughs will save only about US$1 million, the mayor said, but may serve as a useful symbol as he continues to negotiate with labour unions representing municipal employees over broader payroll savings.

“It was not a decision I made lightly,” he told reporters. “To have to do this is painful for them and their families, but it is the right thing to do at this moment in history.”

With the furloughs and other savings, the mayor’s office budget this fiscal year will be 12% smaller than it was last year, de Blasio said, though he did not provide absolute totals.

The policy will affect 495 staff, the New York Times reported. De Blasio has warned he may have to lay off 22,000 city employees if savings cannot be found in the negotiations with the labour unions.

He is also seeking greater borrowing power from state lawmakers in Albany, New York state’s capital, who have been resistant so far