New Executive Order Governor Cuomo has issued Executive Order 202.18. This latest Order primarily extends previous directives, including extending the “New York State on PAUSE” business restrictions and social protocols through May 15, and directing all schools statewide to remain closed through May 15.  Furthermore, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities and adult care facilities are now required to notify family members or next of kin if any resident tests positive for COVID-19, or if any resident suffers a COVID-19 related death, [...]

NYS on Pause Extended The NYS on Pause program has been extended out an additional two weeks from April 29th to May 15th. Getting Back to Work The Governor emphasized reopening the economy is going to be an ongoing process over the next several weeks in conjunction with the multi-state council created earlier this week. He noted that businesses may need to “reimagine” how they operate logistically while practicing social distancing requirements as a continued precaution. The Governor again stressed the [...]

New Statewide Public Affairs Blog We are happy to announce the “Statewide Blog” is now live.  Here you will find COVID-19 updates, additional updates on events and happenings in New York State and other client related materials. The blog will be part of our website and updated in real time. Executive Order Governor Cuomo announced today and is expected to issue shortly a new Executive Order requiring individuals to wear protective mouth and nose coverings when in public and where proper [...]

Federal/State Tension on Reopening the Economy Governor Cuomo spent considerable time during his daily briefing addressing President Trump’s declaration that he can overrule state governors to reopen local economies.  The Governor stated he will not get into a political fight with the President on this issue, but he also will not cede his mandate to protect New Yorkers’ health and safety if any conflicting directives arise. Regional Approach to Economic Reopening Massachusetts has joined New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut [...]

Regional Approach Today at a press conference organized by Governor Cuomo and the Governors of NJ, CT, PA, DE and RI, they announced a working group consisting of three representatives of each state (an economic development advisor, healthcare advisor and each Governor’s Chief of Staff) to formulate guidelines for a regional plan to reopen the economy.  The working group is set to begin meeting as early as tomorrow.  Beyond announcing formation of the working group, no details were provided in terms [...]

School and Business Closures - Addressing yesterday’s confusion about the continued closure of New York City schools

New York City School Closure Confusion Earlier today, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the City’s schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year.  In response, Governor Cuomo disputed the Mayor’s authority to issue this order.  The Governor stated that there has been no official decision on closing the City’s schools and that any decision should be coordinated with the larger metropolitan region that includes Long Island and Westchester County; preferably, such a decision also [...]

New York State Flattening the Curve… Currently New York State officials are “cautiously optimistic” that the novel coronavirus infection rate is slowing.  The three-day average for hospitalizations has declined from recent weeks, and yesterday there was a net decrease in ICU (intensive care unit) admissions for the first time.  Governor Cuomo believes the State is “flattening the curve” for COVID-19 hospitalizations, but that we must continue the “New York State on PAUSE” business and social protocols to continue this promising trend. [...]