March 30, 2020
What You Need to Know
- Governor Cuomo has directed the state nonessential workforce to continue to work from home for an additional two weeks through April 15th.
- In-person workforce restrictions, which have been implemented through various executive orders are also extended until April 15th.
- Statewide school closures are extended by two weeks until April 15.
- There is a new mobile testing site at the Bay Plaza AMC Theater at 2210 Bartow Ave in the Bronx. The center is slated to be operational on Monday, March 30. at 10 am. Site hours will be Monday – Sunday, 8am – 6pm. Appointment only.
- Pharmacies have agreed to offer free home delivery to help reduce long lines for prescriptions at their facilities.
- The presidential primary election will move from April 28 to June 23rd, aligning it with the congressional and legislative primaries in New York.
- The NYS’s Wadsworth Lab has developed a new test for COVID-19, which is done through a saliva sample and a self-administered short nasal swab.
- Three new sites have been identified to serve as a place for emergency beds – South Beach Psychiatric Center in Staten Island, Westchester Square in the Bronx and Health Alliance in Ulster County – adding 695 more beds.
- The federal government has approved four new sites for temporary hospitals – the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, the Aqueduct Racetrack facility in Queens, CUNY Staten Island and the New York Expo Center in the Bronx – adding an additional 4,000 beds.
- New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
- New Yorkers without Health Insurance can apply through NY State of Health within 60 days of losing coverage.
- Department of Motor Vehicles offices are temporarily closed for in-office visits. Online transactions, including for license renewals, are still be available. License and permit expirations will be extended.
- All non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason are temporarily banned.
- All non-essential businesses statewide must close in-office personnel functions until further notice as part of New York State on PAUSE. Bars and restaurants are closed, but takeout can be ordered during the period of closure.
- 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.
