Governor’s Press Briefing and Guidances Update

Governor Cuomo Press Briefing

• The Governor announced this afternoon that there are now 66,497 confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in New York State, and 37,453 confirmed cases in New York City. There have been 1,218 deaths from COVID-19 in the State.

• The Governor announced that hospitals in New York City will be instructed to share resources and staff in order to direct resources to the places that need them most. This will be a partnership between the public and private hospital systems.

• The Governor asked health care workers from across the country to come to New York to help staff overwhelmed hospitals. He said once New York gets through the crisis we will return the favor and send help to other states. Health professionals who would like to help can sign up to do so here.

• The Governor was asked about issuing a rent freeze during the coronavirus outbreak. He said that he has already issued an Executive Order prohibiting evictions for non-payment of rent for 90 days. As of now, he believes that is the correct solution.

Executive Order 202.13 – Includes the following provisions and others:

• Clarifying language on non-essential construction.

• Aligns closures and restrictions on businesses issued in previous Executive Orders.

• Clarifies a previous order requiring a support person for a patient giving birth is modified insofar as to cover labor, delivery as well as the immediate postpartum period.

• Moves election days for various vacancies and special elections.

Governor Cuomo Press Release

• Directs State Nonessential Workforce to Work from Home for Additional Two Weeks Through April 15th

• New York’s Wadsworth Lab has Developed New, Less Intrusive Test for COVID-19

• Executive Order Also Allows Schools to Host Day Care Free of Charge

• Following Governor’s Call, Pharmacies Have Agreed to Offer Free Home Delivery

• Announces State, in Partnership with Assembly Speaker Heastie, Senator Bailey, Assemblyman Benedetto and Borough President Diaz Jr., is Launching a New Mobile Testing Site in the Bronx

• Confirms 7,195 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State – Bringing Statewide Total to 59,513; New Cases in 44 Counties

NYS Budget

• The Senate went into session briefly last night to approve a resolution allowing remote voting procedures and expedited roll calls. The Assembly will convene this afternoon to pass a similar resolution to allow for expedited voting and to establish the future possibility of voting remotely during declared states of emergency. At this time no budget bills have been printed, with the exception of the debt services bill which was passed by the Senate last week.

Siena Poll

• A Siena College poll released today found the following:

• 87% of NYers Approve of Cuomo’s Handling of the Coronavirus Pandemic, While 41% Approve of Trump’s Handling

• Nearly Three-quarters of NYers are VERY Concerned about the Pandemic (92% are Concerned), with 79% Concerned that They will Get the Virus; Nearly One-Third Know Someone Who Has Tested Positive

• 53% of NYers Say “Things Will Be Back to Normal Sometime Soon”; 44% Say They’re Not Confident “America Will be Back to Normal Anytime Soon”

• One-Quarter Say Someone in Their Household Has Been Laid Off from Work

• Read the Siena press release and crosstabs here.

Federal Updates

• President Trump has extended the White House guidelines for social distancing through April 30 in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.

New York City

• Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that residents who are not following social distancing protocols could be given a $500 fine.

• Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has tested positive for COVID-19.

Senator Seward

• Senator Seward announced the he and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19.

Up-To-Date Guidance

• NYC Department of Buildings

• Buildings Bulletin

• Guidance Document on Enforcement of Essential vs. Nonessential Construction

• Service Notice

• NYS Department of Tax and Finance:

• Announcement Regarding Relief from Certain Filing and Payment Deadlines due to the Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19

• Tax Department response to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) (UPDATED)

• NYS Department of Health:

• Guidance for 1915(c) HCBS Children’s Waiver for Children’s Health Homes and Children, Youth Evaluation Services (C-YES), HCBS Providers, and MMCP/HIV SNP

• Guidance on Medicaid Changes to Private Duty Nursing (PDN) Policy

• Guidance on Medicaid Changes to Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Policy

• NYS Department of Labor: What You Need to Know and Do About the CARES Act

• NYS Insurance Fund: Help for New York Workers

• Empire State Development: GUIDANCE FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE IS SUBJECT TO A WORKFORCE REDUCTION UNDER RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDERS

• There have been no changes to this guidance since our last update.

• New York City: Agency Suspensions and Reductions

• The following have been updated since our last message:

• Updated: Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation

• Updated: Public Design Commission (PDC)

• Updated: Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC)

Attached please find a comprehensive document with guidance from across government agencies. We will be updating this document as information becomes available and including it in our daily updates.

In addition to our regular email updates, Ostroff Associates has established two dedicated webpages that will be updated in real time with any new information from government sources relating to COVID-19. Please use these websites as a resource and share with others who would benefit.

Update Page: https://www.ostroffassociates.com/covid-19-updates/

News Page: https://www.ostroffassociates.com/category/covid-19/

CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE DOCUMENT – UPDATED MARCH 30