Kasirer Summary of COVID-19 Updates, September 28 – October 9

Mayoral Update

On WNYC with Brian Lehrer the Mayor announced,

• The safe reopening of day programs and other facilities serving the elderly population.
• The postponement of back pay for teachers was a result of the need to identify financial savings to avoid massive layoffs.

Governor’s Update

During a conference call with reporters the Governor announced,

• The State performed 145,000 tests, setting a new record for New York State and the United States. The increase in tests has been due to increased testing in hotspot neighborhoods.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference he announced,

• Restrictions in the red, orange, and yellow zones go into effect on October 8.
• The deadline to register to vote is October 9; early voting begins on October 24.
• A new COVID-19 Zone Finder, which is live at nyc.gov/COVIDZone.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference he announced,

• Restrictions in all hotspot zones will remain in effect for a minimum of 14 days starting on October 8.
• An outreach plan which includes
  • over 1,200 City personnel on the ground.
  • canvassers flyering in business corridors.
  • DOT emails to all Open Restaurant participants in red and orange zones.
  • SBS & Office of Nightlife doing targeted outreach.
  • NYPD & DOT updating electronic signage at key intersections.
  • robocalls to all households in red and orange zones.
  • creating an online tool which allows people to search color zones by address.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference he announced,

• New rules in areas with COVID clusters that will partially close businesses, schools, houses of worship, and dining.
  • See guidance here; see the Governor’s executive order here.
• That local governments, including the City of New York, must provide enforcement personnel to the State Task Force.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference he announced,

• The Mayor submitted the City’s proposal to the State to close nonessential businesses in at-risk zip codes and awaits the State’s approval to move forward.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference he announced,

• Schools in hotspots will temporarily close beginning on October 6; ongoing random testing in hotspot schools will be necessary.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference he announced,

• All schools (both public and private) in the nine ZIP codes that have had infection rates above 3% for 7 consecutive days will be closed for in-person instruction, and that the City is working to impose similar restrictions for non-essential businesses, all pending State approval.

Mayoral Update

• Responding to COVID-19 case spikes, Mayor de Blasio sent a proposal to the State to close non-essential businesses, including public and private schools, indoor and outdoor dining, and non-essential businesses in nine New York City zip codes.

Governor’s Update

During a conference call with reporters the Governor announced,

• The State has launched a portal to track cases throughout New York’s school districts, and noted that New York City has not reported any cases to the State to date.

Governor’s Update

During a conference call with reporters the Governor announced,

• A technology-based contract tracing app for smartphones that is being released today to provide notifications of possible exposure.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference he announced,

• The City’s efforts to contain the COVID clusters in 10 zip codes experiencing spikes, which include assigning 1,000 city personnel to conduct outreach, education, and inspections; distribution of thousands of masks daily; hundreds of visits to businesses; and 160 school visits.

Governor’s Update

During a conference call with reporters the Governor announced,

• Hot spots in Rockland, Kings, Orange, and Nassau County have a combined positivity rate of 5.5%, which is close to five times the infection rate Statewide.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference he announced,

• Indoor dining restarts today at 25% capacity with health and safety restrictions in place.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference he announced,

• His calls on local governments to respond to COVID-19 clusters in Brooklyn, Orange County, and Rockland County.
• The New York City Stabilization + Recovery Strategy, which includes plans to stabilize anxiety in the City related to schools reopening, the rise in crime, economic distress, homelessness, cleanliness, and efforts to begin thinking about factors that will play a role in the City’s recovery.

Mayoral Update

During the Mayor’s press conference he announced,

• Two new enforcement actions as a result of the recent uptick in COVID-19:
  • The City will begin to fine people who refuse to wear a mask after being offered one by City enforcement officials.
  • DOH-MH has released an order that requires that private schools and childcare centers follow DOE health standards, and if not, schools and centers will be forced to close.

Governor’s Update

During the Governor’s press conference he announced,

• He would be extending the New York State residential eviction protection order through January 1, 2021.