New Executive Order

Governor Cuomo announced that a new Executive Order will be signed and published today that would allow all private business owners to require masks be worn while on their businesses premise. Additionally, the Governor introduced to the dais comedian Chris Rock and actress Rosie Perez and announced a new State advertising campaign with their assistance to help communicate the importance of wearing masks and using proper PPE as part of the people of New York City’s social responsibility. 

The Reopening of New York City

When asked about the status of the reopening of New York City, Governor Cuomo stated that the same rules apply to the City as the rest of the state, the metrics don’t change by region. The City is still three categories away from being able to reopen but they are expected to have one of those categories fulfilled soon by identifying the proper number tracers, leaving them still two categories short. The City now sits at 26% share of the needed available hospital beds and 29% share of the needed ICU beds available and both must reach 30% before it can begin to reopen. 

Legislative Session

Today both the Senate and the Assembly had a legislative session day and worked through a number of COVID-related bills. Negotiations over a few final bills remain ongoing, including legislation to grant death benefits to state and local employees who passed as a result of COVID-19 and a measure to allow NYC to borrow money to cover operating expenses in the short term.  

New York State COVID-19 Numbers

Thankfully, we are now firmly on the far side of the New York State COVID-19 plateau. That said, the number of deaths in the State has increased by 74 again since yesterday.