Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio provide daily press briefings on the status of New York State and New York City’s COVID-19 response. Below, please find highlights of this week’s COVID-19-related updates in New York State and New York City. Please contact Laura Manley at lmanley@manatt.com with any questions.
Governor Andrew Cuomo Press Conference Highlights:
Top Line Items From Monday, June 8, to Friday, June 12, 2020
Friday, June 12
- The Governor said that New York must stay the course as it reopens in the time of COVID-19. As other states are seeing spikes in cases, New York continues to see the number of infections decreasing.
Thursday, June 11
- The Governor announced that five regions (Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, North Country and Mohawk Valley) of the State would enter Phase 3 of reopening on June 12.
- Updates related to NY Forward reopening phases can be found here.
- The Governor said that the Department of Health is constantly reviewing data and evaluating whether and when it may be safe to make changes to the visitor policies for nursing homes, but that currently it is not safe to make any changes.
Wednesday, June 10
- The Governor announced that Long Island has entered Phase 2 of reopening.
- The Governor announced the June 13 opening of LaGuardia Airport following fast-tracked construction permitted by reduced travel associated with COVID-19.
- The Governor said that determinations related to schools reopening in the fall have not yet been made, but that he and his team continue to review alternatives, and there is potential for different models to be used in different regions of the State depending on where they are in their response to COVID-19.
Tuesday, June 9
- The Governor announced the start of Phase 2 for Westchester/Rockland/Hudson Valley.
- The Governor announced a new dashboard with a citizen focus that will be updated daily based on tests within each region so New Yorkers can track the numbers themselves.
- The Governor said that regions will likely continue to have two weeks between phases of reopening so they can ensure there are no spikes or issues that would cause them to stop reopening or return to a prior phase.
Monday, June 8
- The Governor announced New York City is now eligible to begin conducting elective surgery and ambulatory care.
- The Governor announced the launch of the “It’s Up to Us, New York” campaign on MTA buses and trains and billboards across the region to remind New Yorkers to do their part.
- The Governor announced that the MTA is accelerating various projects due to the reduced ridership it is experiencing as a result of COVID-19.
Mayor de Blasio Press Conference Highlights:
Top Line Items From Monday, June 8, to Friday, June 12, 2020:
Friday, June 12
- Public transportation ridership is up from last week.
- The Mayor announced that he has secured an additional $750,000 for the Small Business Emergency Grant Program to help with recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Nearly 4,500 AC units were installed, more than 1,900 in housing managed by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), to help the city’s most vulnerable stay safe and cool over the summer.
Thursday, June 11
- The Restaurant Revitalization Program will support unemployed and underemployed restaurant workers.
Wednesday, June 10
- The Mayor announced two mobile testing trucks at NYCHA’s Monroe Houses, as well as expanded testing with community providers in the hardest-hit communities in the City.
Tuesday, June 9
- The Mayor announced that NYC Care will expand to Queens and Manhattan four months ahead of schedule to provide access to low-cost and no-cost primary care for those who are ineligible or can’t afford insurance.
- The Mayor announced that the City will reach 10,000 New Yorkers in the City’s hardest-hit neighborhoods from July to December by training community and religious organizations on how to help their community members cope with the COVID-19 crisis.
Monday, June 8
- The Mayor announced day 100 of the coronavirus crisis in New York State and the first day of the City’s phased reopening.
- The Mayor announced the launch of a dedicated Business Restart Hotline to help businesses that need assistance working toward reopening.
- The Mayor announced that the City will implement 20 total new miles of busways and bus lanes to allow for faster, more frequent buses to increase social distance.
- The Mayor announced increased service for the Staten Island Ferry to begin in Phase 1 of reopening.