NEW YORK – All 10 of New York State’s economic development regions are now in one phase of reopening, Governor Cuomo reported as his daily briefing this morning.
He also confirmed 674 additional coronavirus cases in New York State, bringing the statewide total to 380,156. The new cases are in 35 counties; it included two in Otsego County, but that has not been confirmed by the county Health Department.
NEW YORK – As New York City entered Phase One of reopening today, Governor Cuomo announced the Big Apple is now eligible to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care in its recently embattled hospitals.
He also announced the state is opening 14 new temporary testing sites at churches located in communities particularly impacted by COVID-19, in partnership with Northwell Health and SOMOS Community Care. The state is continuing to focus efforts on reducing the infection rate of COVID-19 in New York City hotspot neighborhoods that have been impacted the most by the virus.
NEW YORK CITY – Cheered on by actress Rosie Perez and comedian Chris Rock, Governor Cuomo today issued an Executive Order authorizing businesses to deny entry to people who do not wear masks or face-coverings.
The governor made the announcement at noon in New York City, as Otsego County businesses awaited details on how to enter the Phase 2 reopening tomorrow, which permits stores and offices to reopen for the first time since Cuomo’s original March 13 emergency declaration. The latest word is details may be forthcoming at 7 p.m. today.
WASHINGTON – Governor Cuomo earlier today called on the U.S. Senate to pass a coronavirus relief bill that helps all Americans and provides unrestricted fiscal support for states.
The next bill should focus on funding state and local governments, working families, state testing and tracing efforts and a real economic stimulus, with no handouts to corporations that do not protect their workers and only enrich executives or shareholders.
ALBANY – Governor Cuomo Tuesday announced the Mid-Hudson Region has met all seven metrics and could begin Phase One of reopening, joining the Capital Region, Western New York, Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions, which includes Otsego County.
Long Island is still on track to reopen today, May 27, when their contact tracing operation comes online and if deaths continue to decline.
LONG ISLAND – State beaches will be open for Memorial Day, Governor Cuomo said in today’s briefing. RV parks and campgrounds are also open.
“We’re at the beach,” the governor said at this morning’s daily briefing. “What do New Yorkers do Memorial Day Weekend?”
ALBANY – On Long Island, the number of coronavirus deaths is continuing to drop and contract tracing is coming online, and if this trend continues Long Island could be ready to open by Wednesday, Governor Cuomo announced today at his daily briefing.
After New York City, Long Island and Westchester County were the hardest his areas in the state.
ALBANY – Governor Cuomo today launched the $100 million New York Forward Loan Fund to provide flexible and affordable loans to help small businesses, focusing on minority and women-owned small businesses, that did not receive federal COVID-19 assistance.
The state will take a smart, targeted approach for distributing these loans, focusing on businesses with 20 or fewer employees and less than $3 million in gross revenues. Businesses interested in receiving a loan should visit esd.ny.gov/nyforwardloans.
Cuomo also announced:
ALBANY – Governor Cuomo today announced that, beginning Thursday, religious gatherings statewide will be allowed, but limited to 10 people practicing strict social distancing and wearing masks. Additionally, drive-in and parking lot services will also be allowed beginning Thursday.
The Governor also announced the state is convening an Interfaith Advisory Council to discuss proposals to safely bring back religious services. For list of the members of the Interfaith Advisory Council, click here.
ALBANY – At today’s briefing, Governor Cuomo said he will issue an Executive Order allowing town and village clerks to perform wedding ceremonies via video conference, a practice banned under current law.
He will also allow engaged couples to obtain marriage licenses remotely.
ALBANY – Seeing testing as the route to the “un-PAUSING NY” and the “new normal,” Governor Cuomo today announce announced he will direct all public and private labs in New York to coordinate with the state Department of Health to prioritize coronavirus diagnostic testing.
Executive Order will help ensure the 301 laboratories and hospitals in the state that are licensed to perform virology operate in a coordinated fashion to overcome the testing challenges that every state in the nation is now facing.
ALBANY – Governor Cuomo today announced the state Department of Health has developed a test to detect antibodies to the COVID-19 infection in an individual’s blood. This test is an important step towards determining whether New Yorkers are developing immunity and when they could potentially return to work or school.
At today’s briefing, he also the state will invest in private companies to bring rapid COVID-19 testing to scale and accelerate testing capacity.
ALBANY – Earlier today, Governor Cuomo announced all “NYS on Pause” functions will be extended for an additional two weeks. He also directed schools and nonessential businesses to stay closed for an additional two weeks, through April 29. The state will re-evaluate after this additional two-week period.
The governor also announced:
• The state 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. The He reminded localities that they have the authority to enforce the protocols.
ALBANY – Here are the highlights of today’s briefing by Governor Cuomo of New York State’s battle against coronarivus:
• Central Coordinating Team Will Help Implement Statewide Public-Private Hospital Plan to Share Information, Supplies, Staff and Patients Among Hospitals Across the State