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May 8, 2020

LATEST INFORMATION ON HEALTH EMERGENCY – COVID-19 – CORONAVIRUS

The latest figures released by the NYS Department of Health show that there are now 34,290 confirmed coronavirus cases in Westchester County. There are 13,423 cases in Rockland, 10,570 in Orange, 4,056 in Dutchess, 1,741 in Ulster, 1,485 in Putnam, and 1,430 in Sullivan County. There are 383,324 confirmed cases in NYS (as of 6/14/20).

As of 6/13/20

  • According to the Rate of Transmission (Rt) website rt.live, New York State has the nation’s lowest Rt, at .78.
  • Governor Cuomo is urging all protesters to get a COVID-19 test. Find a test site near you.
  • Local or state facilities that operate as a cooling center may open at their discretion while following state guidance; the Department of Health released interim guidance for cooling centers.
  • Special education services and instruction may be provided in-person this summer; the Department of Health released interim guidance for these services.
  • Governor Cuomo announced that localities may open public pools and playgrounds at their discretion while following state guidance; the Department of Health released interim guidance for pools.
  • Governor Cuomo signs legislation to suspend the forfeit of Unemployment Benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a legislation to repeal the criminalization of wearing a mask in public.
  • Schools will be permitted to hold drive-in and drive-through graduation ceremonies this year; the Department of Health released interim guidance for these ceremonies; or have Socially distanced graduations of up to 150 people starting on June 26th.
  • Governor Cuomo announced the implementation of a new early warning dashboard to monitor and review how the virus is being contained on an ongoing basis.

As of 6/3/20

  • Summer day camps statewide can open on June 29, and a decision on sleep-away camps will be made in the coming weeks.
  • Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order allowing low-risk, outdoor recreational activities and businesses to open in regions that have met the metrics required for phase one.
  • Governor Cuomo announced the implementation of a new early warning dashboard to monitor and review how the virus is being contained on an ongoing basis.
  • As New York City prepares for phase 1 of reopening on June 8th, 10 additional testing spots will be added to hotspot areas who are predominantly low income and minority communities.
  • Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order authorizing businesses to deny entry to individuals not wearing masks or face-coverings.
  • Outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted in the seven regions currently in phase two of reopening starting June 4th.

As of 5/25/20

  • Capital Region, Western New York, Central New York, North County, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Mid-Hudson Valley, and Mohawk Valley Regions have met all seven metrics required to begin phase one of the state’s regional phased reopening plan.
  • NYS on PAUSE will continue through May 28 for regions that have not started reopening; a region can enter Phase One of reopening as soon as it meets its required metrics.
  • Mid-Hudson Region is on track to enter phase one of reopening Tuesday, May 26th; Long Island is on track to reopen Wednesday, May 27th.
  • New York State and local governments will provide death benefits for frontline workers who died from COVID-19 during this emergency.
  • Campgrounds and RV parks are opening statewide.
  • Veterinarian practices will be allowed to open in all regions beginning Tuesday, May 26th.
  • Governor Cuomo released a guide to the state’s “NY Forward Reopening” Plan, along with the state’s regional monitoring dashboard.
  • New York State has doubled testing capacity to reach 40,000 diagnostic tests per day, and has more than 700 testing sites. We encourage eligible New Yorkers to find a nearby testing site and get tested.
  • New Yorkers are reminded to vote for finalists in the Wear a Mask New York Ad Contest by Monday, May 25th at WearAMask.ny.gov.
  • The $100M New York Forward Loan Fund will provide loans to small businesses, focusing on minority and women-owned small businesses, that did not receive federal COVID-19 assistance.
  • The New York State sales tax filing deadline has been extended to June 22, 2020.
  • Summer school will be conducted through distance learning.

As of 5/17/20

  • Central New York, North County, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions have met all seven metrics required to begin phase one of the state’s regional phased reopening plan and have begun reopening.
  • NYS on PAUSE will continue through May 28 for regions that have not started reopening; a region can enter Phase One of reopening as soon as it meets its required metrics.
  • Governor Cuomo released a guide to the state’s “NY Forward Reopening” Plan, along with the state’s regional monitoring dashboard.
  • Additional guidelines have been outlined for business that are in phase one of reopening.
  • In coordination with neighboring states, public and private beaches will open with certain restrictions on May 22, ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
  • Horse racing tracks statewide and Watkins Glen International Racetrack will be allowed to open without fans as of June 1st.

As of 5/11/20

  • The Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and Mohawk Valley Regions have met all seven metrics required to begin phase one of the state’s regional phased reopening plan when NYS on PAUSE orders expire on May 15th.
  • Certain low-risk business and recreational activities will be ready to reopen statewide on May 15th, including landscaping and gardening businesses; and recreational activities such as tennis and drive-in movie theaters.

As of 5/9/20

  • New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through June 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
  • New York State’s moratorium on COVID-related evictions will be extended until August 20th with fees for missed or late rent payments banned during the moratorium.
  • The State Department of Health is investigating several cases of severe illness in children and child deaths that may be related to COVID-19.
  • Due to a reduction in court services caused by COVID-19, the state is extending the window for victims to file time-barred cases under the Child Victims Act for an additional five months until January 14, 2021.
  • Governor Cuomo announced the members of New York’s Reimagine Education Advisory Council—made up of educators, students, parents and education leaders— to help districts reimagine schools as they prepare to reopen.

As of 5/1/20

  • All schools and college facilities in NYS will remain closed and continue to provide distance learning, meal delivery and child care services for the remainder of the school year.
  • Governor Cuomo today issued an executive order delaying school board elections and budget votes statewide until June 9, 2020.
  • 35 counties that do not have significant risk of a COVID-19 surge in the near term can now resume elective outpatient treatments.

As of 4/26/20

  • Governor Cuomo outlined a phased plan to re-open New York and re-imagine a new normal for the state starting with construction and manufacturing.
  • The plan will be implemented in phases and will be based on regional analysis and determinations.

As of 4/25/20

  • New York State is state is expanding diagnostic testing criteria to allow all first responders, health care workers and essential employees to be tested for COVID-19 even if they aren’t symptomatic.
  • Governor Cuomo will issue an Executive Order allowing pharmacists to conduct diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
  • In face of a dangerous uptick of domestic violence incidents, a new domestic violence text program and new confidential online service will aid victims of abuse.
  • Governor Cuomo will issue an Executive Order mandating the NYS Board of Elections automatically mail every New Yorker a postage-paid application for an absentee ballot.

As of 4/22/20

  • Preliminary Phase I results of Antibody Testing Study show 13.9% of the population have COVID-19 antibodies. Find more information and FAQs on antibody testing.
  • A new initiative will ramp up testing in the African-American and Latino communities by working with places of worship.
  • Expanded COVID-19 diagnostic testing at NYCHA facilities begins 4/23.
  • $30 million in Child Care Scholarships will be provided to essential workers and supplies for child care providers.
  • State Health Department will partner with Attorney General James to investigate nursing home violation.

As of 4/21/20

  • Elective outpatient treatment can resume in counties and hospitals without significant risk of COVID-19 surge starting next week.

As of 4/19/20

  • Governor Cuomo has allowed the re-opening of marinas for private use and golf courses.

As of 4/16/20

  • Schools and nonessential businesses will stay closed through May 15th.
  • Governor Cuomo issued an executive order requiring all people in New York to wear masks or face coverings in public, including when taking public or private transportation or riding in for-hire vehicles.
  • An executive order directs employers to provide essential workers with masks free of charge to wear when interacting with the public.
  • NYS will conduct antibody tests prioritizing frontline workers beginning this week.
  • A blueprint to un-PAUSE New York will be implemented in coordination with other regional states to get people back to work and ease social isolation without triggering renewed spread of the virus.

As of 4/9/20

  • Golf courses, boat launches, marinas have been classified as nonessential businesses by Empire State Development.
  • New Yorkers who have recovered from COVID-19 are encouraged to donate blood. Here’s information on how to donate.
  • NYS is increasing the maximum fine for violations of the state’s social distancing protocol from $500 to $1,000 to help address the lack of adherence to social distancing protocols.
  • Governor Cuomo will issue an executive order to bring in additional funeral directors to help with the high number of deaths.
  • New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through May 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.

As of 4/6/20

  • Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa announced that the June Regent exams are canceled.
  • Governor Cuomo has directed the state nonessential workforce to continue to work from home through April 29th.
  • In-person workforce restrictions, which have been implemented through various executive orders are also extended until April 29th.
  • Statewide school closures are extended until April 29.

As of 4/4/20

  • The CDC is advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4

  • Governor Cuomo will issues an executive order allowing medical students who are slated to graduate to begin practicing.
  • Governor Cuomo will issue an executive order to redistribute ventilators and PPE to hospitals with the greatest need.

As of 4/2/20

  • Consumers and small businesses experiencing financial hardship may defer paying health insurance premiums through June 1, 2020.
  • New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through May 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.

As of 3/31/20

Due to circumstances from the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline to get a “Real ID” has been extended to October 1, 2021.

Starting Wednesday, April 1, the Bee-Line Bus System will operate on a Saturday schedule six days a week, Monday-Saturday. Bee-Line will continue to operate Sunday service on Sundays.

As of 3/29/20

Gov. Cuomo has extended the mandate for nonessential businesses to remain closed until at least April 15, 2020 and for nonessential workers to remain home.

Rhode Island has revised its executive order to: “any person coming to Rhode Island from another state for a non-work-related purpose must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days.”

Due to extensive community transmission of COVID -19 in the area, CDC urges residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately.

As of 3/28/20

Gov. Cuomo has rescheduled the Presidential Primary Election in New York to June 23, 2020, the same date as the Congressional and legislative primaries.

As of 3/27/20

Gov. Cuomo announced that schools will be closed until at least April 15

He suspended all non-essential construction projects.

New Yorkers without Health Insurance can apply through NY State of Health within 60 days of losing coverage.

As of 3/25/20

NYS has set up a hotline 1-844-863-9314 where residents can call and schedule a free appointment with one of the 6175 mental health professionals who are volunteering to talk with people during this public health emergency.

As of 3/23/20

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza announced changes to help borrowers still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. By making this change, deferments through December 31, 2020, will be automatic. Now, borrowers of home and business disaster loans do not have to contact SBA to request a deferment.

As of 3/22/20

  • Governor Cuomo and the Army Corps of Engineers have identified four sites – SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Old Westbury, Jacob Javitz Convention Center, and Westchester County Center, to be transformed into temporary hospitals.
  • Gov. Cuomo has mandated the suspension of elective, non-critical surgeries as of Wednesday, March 25, 2020, until further notice.
  • Young people can get coronavirus (COVID-19) and transfer it. 18-49 year-olds represent 53% of total cases.

From Westchester County Executive:

  • Starting Monday, March 23, the Bee Line buses will waive their fee and all passengers must now enter and exit the Bee Line buses from the rear-door.  The new policy is the latest action taken by Latimer to protect frontline employees from COVID-19, and stop the spread. Additionally, the first three rows of seats on all fixed-route transit buses will be roped off in an effort to further distance the passengers from drivers. Special accommodations will be made for handicapped passengers. The move was made to ensure social distancing from drivers, while still keeping customers a priority.
  • The Westchester County Department of Social Services (DSS) is developing and implementing safety measures, and changing the way the Department provides services to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in Westchester. As a precaution, in-person contact has been eliminated whenever possible, with DSS transitioning to offer assistance by way of telework options and phone to reduce the potential exposure of Westchester County’s residents. Those in need of benefits should apply online through www.MyBenefits.com, additionally, applications can be either mailed or faxed to DSS.

DSS District Offices will remain open for emergency walk-in assistance as needed, using appropriate social distancing.

To date, Westchester County DSS has executed the following safety methods:

  • Using technology (laptops, mobile phones, remote login and online application processes) to provide assistance to residents.
  • Developed in-office emergency assistance options across multiple public assistance programs to help residents by phone, maintaining appropriate social distancing.
  • Using specially-developed protocols for child welfare and adult protective services to handle non-safety related contacts by phone. Proper precautions will be taken if an in-person child/adult safety assessment is needed.
  • Utilizing waivers when possible to defer nonessential regulatory requirements.
  • Reduced Department staffing to minimal levels required to provide essential Social Services functions using rotating schedules.
  • Supporting food requests and deliveries by phone or online.
  • Supporting staffing of a child care site for healthcare providers and first responders, monitoring child care provider closures.
  • Westchester County’s shelters are fully operational, and emergency housing units have been set aside. All housing is maintained following CDC guidelines; clients are screened upon entry and if required moved to hospitalization or isolation.
  • For Case Management information, residents can call 914-995-3333 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

As of 3/21/20

  • Governor Cuomo expects it to take months to “get through this.”
  • Federal Government has made a Federal Disaster Declaration which makes NY eligible for FEMA resources.

The Executive Order 202.8 of NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo states the following to be in effect from March 20, 2020, until April 19, 2020:

  • The extension of validity of any Driver’s License, Non-Driver Identification or registration expiring on or after March 1, 2020
  • The extension of validity of any temporary registration document issued by a NYS Dealer
  • The cancellation of any in-person DMV appointment at any office until further notice
  • Deadline dates in court proceedings (i.e. statutes of limitations, motions, etc.) are hereby tolled.
  • A 90-day stay on foreclosure

To view the full Executive order please visit www.governor.ny.gov/executiveorders

As of 3/20/20

  • The Federal government announced that Tax Day has moved from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.
  • Only essential businesses are allowed to remain open as of Sunday evening.
  • New York will implement a 90-day moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants.
  • All barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing salons, nail salons, hair removal services and related personal care services will be closed to the public effective Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 PM.

Strictest Rules for Most Vulnerable Groups
Seniors over 70, immune-compromised people, and those with underlying illnesses

  • Remain indoors
  • Can go outside for solitary exercise
  • Pre-screen all visitors and aides by taking their temperature
  • Do not visit households with multiple people
  • All vulnerable persons should wear a mask when in the company of others
  • Always stay at least six feet away from individuals
  • Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary

PAUSE provisions for Non-Vulnerable Populations

  1. Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations, or other social events) are cancelled or postponed at this times
  2. Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced
  3. When in Public Individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others
  4. Businesses and entities that provide essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet.
  5. Individuals should limit outdoor recreations activities to non-contact and avoid activities where you come in close contact with people
  6. Individuals should limit use of transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least 6 feet from other riders.
  7. Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care, and only after telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the nest interest of their health
  8. Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations

Precaution: isopropyl alcohol wipes

As of 3/19/20

  • The Department of Financial Services has issued a new directive to New York State mortgage servicers to provide 90-day mortgage relief to mortgage borrowers impacted by the novel coronavirus.
  • Governor Cuomo will issue an executive order directing non-essential businesses to implement work-from-home policies effective Friday, March 20. Businesses that rely on in-office personnel must decrease their in-office workforce by 75 percent.
  • Governor Cuomo signed the bill guaranteeing job protection and pay for New Yorkers who have been quarantined as a result of novel coronavirus.
  • Metro-North is no longer accepting cash fare payments at its ticket counters or on trains. Metro-North will continue to accept credit card payments for ticket transactions, or customers can use cash at a ticket vending machine. We also urge customers to use the MTA eTix app, the fast and easy way to pay directly from your smartphone. In addition, in line with the NY State guidelines so that customers and employees are not potentially exposed to the virus, starting today, Wednesday, March 18, we are temporarily closing the following station ticket offices:
    • Bronxville
    • Croton-Harmon
    • Mount Vernon East
    • New Rochelle
    • North White Plains
    • Rye
    • Tarrytown
    • White Plains

As of 3/18/20

  • Governor Cuomo will issue an executive order directing non-essential businesses to implement work-from-home policies effective Friday, March 20. Businesses that rely on in-office personnel must decrease their in-office workforce by 50 percent.
  • Exemptions from the order will include shipping, media, warehousing, grocery and food production, pharmacies, healthcare providers, utilities, banks and related financial institutions.
  • Retail shopping malls, amusement parks, and bowling alleys to close by 8 PM Thursday in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
  • The USNS Comfort, a 1,000-bed hospital ship, will be deployed to New York harbor to increase New York’s hospital surge capacity.
  • The Governor and Legislature have an agreement on a bill guaranteeing job protection and pay for New Yorkers who have been quarantined as a result of novel coronavirus
  • Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider
  • Your local health department is your community contact for COVID-19 concerns.

As of 3/17/20

  • Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed an executive order directing all schools in New York to close by Wednesday, March 18 for two weeks ending April 1.  He said that he will close the schools in two-week intervals, and to expect the schools to be closed for longer than just this two-week period.
  • No gatherings of 50 people or more in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey
  • Strongly advise only services and businesses that are essential to stay open after 8:00 pm.
    • Groceries
    • Gas stations
    • Pharmacies
    • Medical facilities
  • Nonessential state workers will work from home
  • All local governments must reduce their workforce by at least 50%
  • New York State will waive all park fees in state, local and county parks

As of 3/16/20

New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have all agreed to ban crowd capacity for social and recreational gatherings to 50 people as of 8 p.m. Monday. All casinos, bars, restaurants, and movie theaters, and gyms will be closed as of 8 p.m. as well. The industries will remain closed indefinitely and the governors of the three states will coordinate a reopening date. Restaurants will be allowed to shift to takeout and delivery services. These establishments will be provided a waiver for carry-out alcohol. Supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations will not be affected.

Gov. Cuomo is urging all New Yorkers to stay home as much as possible and to keep a safe distance of 6 feet from others in public spaces to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

The state has waived the fees for state, county, and local parks.

All local governments are to reduce their workforce by 50% minimum.

As of 3/15/20

Gov. Cuomo has ordered that schools in Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk will close for two weeks beginning Monday, March 16.

Gov. Cuomo has ordered that nonessential state workers who work in Rockland County and south to stay home.

Updated operational protocols from the Unified Court System.

As of 3/15/20

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell ordered all public daycare centers which are regulated by New York State, including but not limited to all large and small day care centers, nursery and preschools, prekindergarten and head start programs, in Putnam County closed for five (5) days  effective 12:00 a.m. on March 16, 2020.  The closings were ordered out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to continue to follow the guidelines being issued by federal and state agencies regarding best practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Additionally, the County Executive has issued Executive Orders canceling or postponing all social, community, public gatherings or events, including Putnam County-sponsored events where it is anticipated that more than 20 people will be in attendance and also ordering all food service establishments, including delis, supermarkets, grocery stores and catering facilities to cease all buffet style service and sales.

She previously ordered:

  • All public and private schools in the county will be closed. Extracurricular activities must be canceled, but the school buildings can remain open for staff and administrators.
  • The county’s four senior centers are closed and home meal delivery will be expanded to all seniors in need.  This includes the Friendship Centers in Carmel, Putnam Valley and Philipstown, and the William Koehler Senior Center in Mahopac.
  • Visitors will no longer be allowed at the Putnam County Jail.
  • All civil service examinations will be canceled and rescheduled at a later date.

As of 3/14/20

Masses in the Archdiocese of New York will be canceled beginning this weekend, March 14-15, 2020.

As of 3/14/20 from Gov. Cuomo:

The executive order suspends the candidate petitioning process — effective 5 PM on Tuesday — for the June primaries for Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and Judicial races. 

The executive order also modifies the signature requirements for ballot access; candidates will only need to collect 30 percent of the statutory threshold. For Congress, candidates would need 375 signatures rather than 1,250. For State Senate, candidates would need 300 signatures rather than 1,000. For Assembly, candidates would only need 150 signatures rather than 500.

The executive order also modifies deadlines and procedures to better allow New Yorkers to vote absentee for the Queens Borough President special election on March 24. It extends the current deadline to register to vote absentee to March 23, the day before the special election. Absentee votes must be postmarked or delivered in person up until the day of the election on March 24.

As of 3/14/20 from From New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson:

We’ve received reports of some businesses outside our city refusing to serve New Rochelle residents, and that’s outrageous, so we’re teaming up with Westchester County to protect our rights. If you have been improperly denied service or been the victim of an unconscionable or deceptive trade practice related to the coronavirus or the so-called containment zone, then contact the Westchester County Consumer Protection Department by calling 914-995-2155 or sending an email to conpro@westchestergov.com.

As of 3/13/20

A drive-thru coronavirus testing facility has been set up at Glen Island Park to test people for the coronavirus (COVID-19). According to Gov. Cuomo, people must contact their doctor first before making an appointment to be tested at Glen Island Park. Those who are under quarantine in New Rochelle will be the first to be tested. The public is not allowed to show up without an appointment.

Executive Orders from New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo:

  • New York State Can Now Authorize 28 Labs to Run Manual, Semi-Automated and Automated Testing – Dramatically Increasing Capacity to About 6,000 Tests per Day in the Next Week
  • Governor Issues Executive Order Waiving 7-Day Waiting Period for Workers to Claim Unemployment Insurance due to COVID-19 and Eliminating Aid Penalty for Schools Directed to Close
  • Governor Directs Department of Public Service to Suspend Utilities from Cutting Off Service as a Result of COVID-19

From New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson:

The National Guard continues to work in concert with School officials and not-for-profit organizations to provide meals, clean facilities, and deliver supplies. They are not here in a military or policing capacity. If you see a member of the Guard, please thank them for their service to New Rochelle.

Institutions are still restricted from holding large gatherings in the Wykagyl area, but except for individuals subject to quarantine, residents are free to come and go, and businesses are open, with free parking at all metered spaces.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities will not accept visitors until further notice.

We can all protect ourselves and our families by following common-sense public health guidelines, including reasonable social distancing.

City Hall remains open, but for those who prefer to conduct business remotely, you can find a full list of online municipal services, as well as other information at newrochelleny.com/coronavirus.

As of 3/12/20

The governor directs new occupancy rules for density reduction.

  • No gatherings with more than 500 people
  • 0-500 capacity must reduce occupancy by 50% by Friday 5 p.m.
  • Broadway Theaters which must comply by Thursday at 5 p.m.
  • Exceptions are schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and mass transit.

*As a reminder: Public health experts have been clear that the great majority of those who contract coronavirus will recover without difficulty, and that we can protect ourselves and our families by following common-sense public health guidelines. If someone is experiences symptoms, ask that they consult their healthcare provider.

Westchester County Coronavirus Information

As of 3/11/20

New Rochelle

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a plan to deal with the coronavirus outbreak in New Rochelle starting on Thursday, 3/12 and ending on Wednesday, 3/25. Here is what we know:

  • NYS will deploy the National Guard to the containment area (which includes anywhere in a one-mile radius of the Young Israel of New Rochelle synagogue).
    • The Guard will not be engaged in military or policing functions.
  • Any facilities in that area, as well as schools within that area, will be closed for two weeks.
  • The National Guard will help clean public spaces in the containment area.
    • They will distribution of meals to students who rely on school lunches and breakfasts at schools that are closed.
    • If someone is in need of food and/or medication delivery, they can call 1-866-588-0195.
  • New Rochelle will have a satellite testing facility, partnering with Northwell Health, in New Rochelle.

Cuomo believes New Rochelle is probably the largest cluster of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States. New Rochelle will create a complete list of affected facilities and will provide appropriate guidance to them. The City is assisting in the distribution of hand sanitizer from New York State to large institutions throughout New Rochelle, especially those serving seniors. At present, however, hand sanitizer is not available for the general public.

This will affect:

  • Several public and private schools
  • Houses of Worship
  • Other large institutions in the Wykagyl area of New Rochelle’s North End.
  • This is purely a limitation on large gatherings. It is not a quarantine or exclusion zone.
  • It does not apply to individual residents and families or to individual businesses.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a plan to deal with the coronavirus outbreak in New Rochelle, including deploying the National Guard to a containment area and setting up a satellite testing facility for the community.

The National Guard will help deliver food to homes and clean public spaces in the containment area, Cuomo said.

New York is also setting up a satellite testing facility, partnering with Northwell Health, in New Rochelle, which is in Westchester County.

New Rochelle is “a particular problem,” Cuomo said, adding that “the numbers have been going up, the numbers continue to go up, the numbers are going up unabated.”

“What we are going to do is focus on an area — concentric circle — around the situs of the majority of the cases in New Rochelle,” he said.

Cuomo described the cluster of confirmed coronavirus cases in New Rochelle as “probably the largest cluster in the United States,” adding it’s a “significant issue for us.” There are 108 confirmed coronavirus cases in Westchester County.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo described the “dramatic action,” detailing a two week period where facilities in the New Rochelle containment would be closed.

Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker described it as an approximate radius of a mile of the containment area.

Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions

At State direction, and to safeguard our most vulnerable senior residents, nursing homes and assisted living facilities in our area will not be permitted to accept visitors until further notice.

Please remember that most people who contract coronavirus will recover without difficulty and that we can protect ourselves and our families by following common-sense public health guidelines.

Health experts are explaining one of the best ways to fight the spread of COVID-19 is the utilization of earned sick leave. Find out more about Westchester’s earned sick leave.

In light of recent COVID-19 developments, Westchester County is taking steps to ensure all Bee-Line buses are sanitized daily.

Westchester residents who are in self-quarantine can call 866.588.0195, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to talk to a health care professional or mental health professional, listen to recorded information/FAQ about symptoms, and information on what to do. Language translations are available.

Residents who are experiencing price gouging are urged to notify the consumer hotline at 1.800.697.1220

Call United Way’s 211 for more information.

The situation is unfolding, and we will bring you more information as it becomes available.

If you think you are symptomatic – DO NOT GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. Call your healthcare provider, tell them about your condition, and await further instructions before going to a healthcare facility. This will allow for time for the appropriate precautions to be taken.

PUBLIC SAFETY

HEALTH

New Yorkers Can Call 1-888-364-3065 with Questions or Concerns about Travel and Symptoms

State Health Department Website – NY.Gov/Coronavirus – Provides Coronavirus Updates for New Yorkers and Guidance for Healthcare Providers

Travel Information

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding all nonessential travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea. CDC also says older adults and those with chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel to Japan.

Read about CDC’s travel information recommendations related to coronavirus disease 2019.

Helpful Links and Notices

General Information

Learn more about coronavirus disease 2019 from the CDC
(CDC information includes prevention strategies, case counts, frequently asked questions and answers, travel guidance,.)

Read the most recent news release from the Wyoming Department of Health about coronavirus disease 2019

CDC Guidance Information

Read guidance information for long-term care facilities

Read guidance information for schools and childcare facilities

Read guidance information for higher education

Read guidance information for businesses and employers