New York: State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance

NEW YORK

Please note: As of April 15, 2021 we are no longer doing regularly scheduled updates to this page.

April 15, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced that spectators will be allowed at horse and auto races at 20% capacity beginning on April 22, 2021. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to additional health and safety protocols.

On April 13, 2021, Governor Cuomo announced a new program to prioritize vaccination of workers at New York State farms and food production facilities. The state will work with local health departments to bring pop-up vaccination sites to such workers.

(New York City): On April 12, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order No. 194 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

April 8, 2021:

Governor Cuomo extended the emergency regulation requiring all health insurers to waive co-pays for the COVID-19 vaccine until April 30. This regulation was put in place to help every New Yorker get vaccinated.

(New York City): On April 7, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order No. 193 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

April 5, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced that all New Yorkers age 16 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as of April 6, 2021.

(New York City): On April 2, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order No. 192 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

April 1, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced that collegiate sports can bring back fans to the stands under strict state guidelines beginning on April 2, 2021. Large-scale venues that hold more than 1,500 attendees indoors or 2,500 attendees outdoors will be allowed to host up to 10% capacity 20% capacity, respectively. All attendees must present proof a negative COVID-19 test or completed COVID-19 vaccination before entry.

March 29, 2021:

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.99, extending the State Disaster Emergency through April 25, 2021. Governor Cuomo also announced that all New Yorkers 30 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine beginning on March 30, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. On April 6, 2021, all New Yorkers 16 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

(New York City): On March 28, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order No. 191 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

March 25, 2021:

Governor Cuomo and New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker announced the revised nursing home visitation guidance to align with the guidelines recently released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The updated guidance permits visitation at all times and for all residents, with limited exceptions for unvaccinated residents in areas of high community spread and lower resident vaccination rates. This guidance is effective immediately.

(New York City): On March 23, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order No. 190 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

March 22, 2021:

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.98, which permits indoor fitness classes to operate, subject to adherence to Department of Health guidance. Further, the Order permits non-essential private residential gatherings of up to 25 people, effective March 22, 2021. On April 2, events and arts and entertainment venues may reopen at 33% capacity, with up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors. Alternatively, events and arts and entertainment venues may have up to 150 people indoors and up to 500 people outdoors if all attendees present proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

On March 22, 2021, Governor Cuomo announced New Yorkers 50 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

March 18, 2021:

On March 17, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.97, extending increased capacities for restaurants in and outside of New York City and requiring vaccination providers to prioritize certain individuals for vaccination. Effective March 19, indoor dining outside of New York City can resume at 75% capacity and indoor dining within New York City can resume at 50% capacity.

The directive from Executive Order 202.91 requiring certain vaccination providers to prioritize individuals is extended. This Executive Order requires providers to prioritize individuals who are age 60 and older or are public or non-public school teachers. Further, on March 17, all providers, other than pharmacies, are permitted to vaccinate any eligible individual.

(New York City): On March 18, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 189, extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

March 15, 2021:

As previously announced by Governor Cuomo, wedding receptions and catered events can resume statewide beginning on March 15, 2021. All venues that will host weddings and catered events must follow the State’s strict health and safety protocols, including the following:

50% capacity limit for each venue, with no more than 150 total attendees per event;
All attendees must have proof of immunization or proof of recent negative test results prior to the event;
Sign-in with contact information;
Venues must notify local health departments of large events;
Masks will be required at all times, except when eating or drinking; and
Ceremonial and socially-distanced dancing is allowed in designated areas.

Governor Cuomo announced the issuance of new guidance by the Department of Financial Services that provides protections for patients and healthcare providers. The guidance limits health insurance claim denials and inappropriate payment reductions or delays related to medically necessary services. These protections became effective on January 1, 2021 and:

Prohibit insurers from denying hospital claims for administrative reasons;
Require insurers to use national coding guidelines when reviewing hospital claims; and
Shorten timeframes for insurers to make medically necessary determinations.

For more information about these guidelines, please see the Insurance Circular Letter No. 4.

On March 12, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed legislation granting public and private employees up to four hours of time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. This legislation is effective immediately.

(New York City): On March 13, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order No. 188, extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

March 11, 2021:

New York continues to expand community-based pop-up vaccination sites, and Governor Cuomo announced 14 more sites appearing this week. These sites will be located at public housing developments, churches, community centers, schools, and fire stations. Governor Cuomo announced that domestic travelers from another U.S. State or territory will no longer be required to quarantine after entering New York beginning on April 1, 2021. However, quarantines for international travelers to New York are still in place.

On March 9, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed the COVID-19 Emergency Protect Our Small Businesses Act of 2021, which established eviction and foreclosure protections for New York’s small businesses. Initially, the legislation will apply to:

Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees who can show a financial hardship; and
Small businesses with 10 or less units (for landlords).

Governor Cuomo has reached an agreement with the New York Legislature to expand the protections to small businesses with 100 or fewer employees and any small business with 500 or fewer employees that has been closed to in-person operations. This expanded legislation has not yet been enacted.

Governor Cuomo further announced that, beginning on March 10, all New Yorkers 60 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Other public facing essential workers of governmental and nonprofit entities will be eligible for the vaccine beginning on March 17. In accordance with this announcement, New York will relax the restrictions concerning which segments of the eligible population specific providers can vaccinate.

On March 10, Governor Cuomo, in conjunction with New Jersey’s Governor Murphy, announced that New York City and New Jersey will expand indoor dining capacity to 50% beginning on March 19. Currently, these restaurants are limited to only 35% capacity.

March 8, 2021:

On March 8, 2021, Governor Cuomo announced that in the coming weeks, New York will establish 10 additional state-run mass vaccination Sites in the New York City, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Capital, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, and Western New York regions. Governor Cuomo further announced that restaurants outside of New York City can open at 75% capacity beginning on March 19, 2021. Within New York City, the capacity for restaurants will still be limited to 35%.

(New York City): On March 3, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order No. 187, extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

March 4, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced the opening of New York State-FEMA mass vaccination sites in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Yonkers. In addition, Governor Cuomo announced another 12 community-based pop-up vaccination sites beginning this week at public housing developments, churches, community centers, schools, and fire stations. Since January, more than 120 community-based pop-up sites have been administering COVID-19 vaccines. Like prior sites, these will be re-established in three weeks to administer second doses.

Governor Cuomo announced that beginning on April 2, 2021, event, arts, and entertainment venues can reopen at 33% capacity, with up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors. If all attendees present provide proof of negative tests prior to entry, capacity can permissibly increase to 150 people indoors and 500 people outdoors. Regardless of capacity, face coverings and social distancing will be required.

Also, Governor Cuomo announced domestic travelers to New York State who have been vaccinated will no longer be required to quarantine or test out within 90 days of their full vaccination.

(New York City): On March 3, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 186, extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

March 2, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced New York is launching a pilot program to begin administering the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine to eligible recipients during the overnight hours at Yankee Stadium, Javits Center, and New York State Fair Mass Vaccination Sites.

March 1, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced New York state will partner with local health departments to include vaccination sites for the 65+ population across the state. Transportation to these sites will be provided. Governor Cuomo also signed Executive Order 202.96, extending the State Disaster Emergency through March 28, 2021.

(New York City): On February 26, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 185, extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

February 25, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced another 12 community-based pop-up vaccination sites beginning this week at community centers, public housing complexes, and cultural centers. Since January, more than 100 community-based pop-up sites have been administering COVID-19 vaccines. Like other community-based pop-up sites, these will be re-established in three weeks to administer second doses.

February 24, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced eligible New Yorkers in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany area, and Yonkers area can begin making appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the previously announced FEMA community-based vaccination sites opening on March 3, 2020. During the first week, the vaccination appointments are reserved for New Yorkers currently eligible for vaccination living in areas with low vaccination rates.

February 22, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced billiard halls statewide and movie theaters in New York City are now permitted to re-open. Further, weddings and catered events are scheduled to resume on March 15, 2020. Movie theaters are restricted to 25% capacity, with no more than 50 people per screen at a time, and masks are required. Billiard halls in New York City are restricted to 35% capacity, and those outside the City are restricted to 50% capacity. Regardless of billiard hall location, masks are required. Weddings and catered events are restricted to 50% capacity, with no more than 150 people per event, and masks are required. To see the full list of restrictions, visit here.

On February 21, 2021, Governor Cuomo announced the opening dates and scheduling information for the six community-based vaccination sites established through a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). On February 24, the sites in Brooklyn and Queens will begin vaccinations, and on March 3, sites in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Yonkers will begin vaccinations. For more information about how to schedule your vaccine, visit here.

(New York City): On February 19, 2021, Governor Cuomo announced that New York City indoor dining can expand to 35% capacity beginning on February 26. On February 21, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 183 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

February 17, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced that an additional 13 community-based pop-up vaccination sites are coming online this week at community centers, public housing complexes, and cultural centers. Similar to other pop-up sites, these sites will be re-established in three weeks to administer second doses of the vaccine.

Governor Cuomo announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will establish four additional community-based mass vaccination sites in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Yonkers. The vaccination appointments will initially be reserved for members of the communities in which the sites are located.

Governor Cuomo announced that indoor family entertainment centers and places of amusement can reopen with 25% capacity beginning on Friday, March 26. Additionally, outdoor amusement parks can open with 33% capacity on April 9. In order to reopen, the facilities must submit reopening plans to their respective health department. The Governor also announced certain guidelines for all re-openings.

(New York City): Mayor de Blasio announced that the opening of some of the City’s vaccination sites will be delayed due to a vaccine supply shortage and shipment delays due to the winter storms.

February 16, 2021:

On February 13, 2021, Governor Cuomo announced that New Yorkers with comorbidities and underlying conditions can use the “Am I Eligible” website starting on February 14. People can use the following methods to verify they are eligible for the vaccine:

doctor’s letter;
medical information evidencing comorbidity; or
a signed certification.

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.94 extending closing times for bars, restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, casinos, billiard halls, as well as other State Liquor Authority-licensed establishments from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. throughout the state.

(New York City): On February 12, 2021, Mayor de Blasio announced a plan to vaccinate homebound seniors and essential frontline home care workers who care for these seniors. New York City will provide on-site senior vaccination clinics and will host a vaccination drive for homebound seniors once the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is approved.

On February 16, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 182 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

February 11, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced the State of New York will update its quarantine guidance to conform to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidance. Accordingly, those who have received the second shot of the vaccine are no longer required to quarantine within 90 days after the second shot.

(New York City): On February 11, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 181 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

February 10, 2021:

Governor Cuomo, in conjunction with the Biden administration, announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will establish two community-based mass vaccination sites at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn and York College in Queens. These sites are reserved for residents of the borough where each site is located.

February 9, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced that 11 community-based pop-up vaccination sites are opening this week at community centers, public housing complexes, and cultural centers. Similar to previous pop-up sites, these sites will be re-established in three weeks to administer second doses of the vaccine. To find the closest pop-up site, visit here.

February 8, 2021:

On February 5, 2021, Governor Cuomo released the list of comorbidities and underlying conditions that New York State will use to determine eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. New Yorkers who have one of the enumerated comorbidities will be eligible for the vaccine beginning February 15.

Last month, Governor Cuomo announced indoor dining in New York City could reopen at 25 percent capacity on February 14 if the COVID-19 infection rate continued on its then current trajectory. On February 8, 2021, however, Governor Cuomo moved the indoor dining reopening date to February 12, at the request of restaurant staff, to allow restaurants to prepare for the reopening.

(New York City): On February 6, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 180 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

February 4, 2021:

On February 3, 2021, Governor Cuomo announced 35 community-based pop-up vaccination sites at churches, community centers, public housing complexes, and cultural centers. Thousands will be vaccinated at each site throughout the coming weeks.

(New York City): Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Doris of the NYC Department of Small Business Services announced the launch of “Training for Your Employees,” a new resource that provides business owners and their employees with training in digital literacy, marketing tools, online security, and COVID-19 safety. This training will prepare small business owners and their employees to use digital platforms, like Zoom, Microsoft Office 365, and Google Workspace.

Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio announced a mass vaccination site at Yankee Stadium will begin administering COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible Bronx residents on February 5.

(Buffalo): Mayor Brown recently launched the Small Business, Tenants, and Neighborhood Development Underwriting Program, or “STAND UP Buffalo” Initiative. The initiative is comprised of a series of direct assistance grants and programs that will allow residents and business owners to respond to unique challenges caused by COVID-19.

February 1, 2021:

On January 29, Governor Cuomo reminded New Yorkers that, under state-regulated health and dental insurance coverage, they should not be charged for Personal Protective Equipment by in-network healthcare providers.

Due to the recent severe winter weather, Governor Cuomo announced that operations at the Jones Beach Drive-Thru Vaccination site will be suspended on January 29 and 30. Anyone who had an appointment scheduled during that time will be contacted to reschedule. Further, any vaccination appointments at state-run sites throughout New York for February 2 will be postponed or delayed due to the winter weather.

On January 29, Governor Cuomo announced indoor dining in New York City can reopen at 25 percent capacity as of February 14 if the COVID-19 infection rate stays on its current trajectory. The Governor also announced that marriage receptions will be able to resume in accordance with state rules on March 15, although each event must be approved by the local health department.

(New York City): On February 1, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 179 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City.

January 27, 2021:

On January 27, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.92 extending the State Disaster Emergency through February 26, 2021. This Executive Order extends certain modifications to New York law, including permitting licensed pharmacists to order COVID-19 tests and to administer COVID-19 tests. Further, clinical laboratories are allowed to accept and examine specimens for COVID-19 testing without a prescription or order from an authorized ordering source under certain circumstances.

January 26, 2021:

On January 23, Governor Cuomo announced that New York is expanding the deployment of community vaccination kits to further strengthen fairness and equity in the vaccination distribution process. New York will deploy vaccination kits to all NYCHA Senior Housing Developments to provide access to all eligible senior residents.

Additionally, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.91 providing directives for who should receive the vaccine. Local health departments and county governments must prioritize essential workers in the 1b category. Hospitals must prioritize healthcare workers for vaccinations and pharmacies are required to prioritize individuals older than 65. Additionally, NYSDOH approved general population vaccination sites are required to prioritize individuals over the age of 65.

January 19, 2021:

On January 18, Governor Cuomo announced eight community vaccination kits have been deployed to churches and cultural institutions in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. The goal of these sites is to bolster the equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to communities of color and low income communities.

On January 15, Governor Cuomo announced the first five community vaccination kits have been deployed to NYCHA housing developments across New York City. The sites are strictly eligible to NYCHA residents. To make an appointment please contact Somos, by calling 1-833-SOMOSNY.

(New York City): On January 17, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 175 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until January 22.

January 14, 2021:

On January 14, Governor Cuomo and NewYork-Presbyterian announced a new COVID-19 vaccination site for New Yorkers at the Fort Washington Armory in Washington Heights in New York City. This vaccination site is offering COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals over the age of 65 with scheduled appointments only beginning on January 14. To make an appointment online, please use this portal or this portal.

(New York City): Mayor de Blasio announced that New York City will open vaccination clinics for residents 65 or older this coming weekend. The clinics will open at the Van Dyke I & II Houses in Brooklyn, Cassidy Lafayette Houses in Staten Island and the Polo Grounds Towers in Manhattan. The Mayor also plans to move the sites across the city in the coming weeks.

January 13, 2021:

On January 13, Governor Cuomo announced the first three state-run vaccination sites are opening for eligible New Yorkers to receive the vaccine. The sites include the Jacob K. Javits Center, Westchester County Center and the New York State Fair Expo Center. On January 14 and 15, Jones Beach and SUNY Albany sites will also open.

(New York City): Mayor de Blasio and NYC Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Jonnel Doris announced Fair Share NYC, a targeted campaign to connect small business owners to federal relief funds. The free resources through the Fair Share NYC include: (1) daily webinars to review the PPP and EIDL Advance programs and offer guidance on how to apply, (2) one-on-one assistance to find the best financing option for each business and get help filling out applications, (3) connections to PPP lenders, and (4) information about additional federal resources.

January 12, 2021:

Governor Cuomo announced that New Yorkers within the priority group 1b can now begin scheduling appointments with individual providers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those eligible for the vaccine, under 1b, include individuals 75 and older, first responders, public safety officers, teachers, other school staff, and more. For more information about where to get the vaccine visit here.

On January 10, Governor Cuomo announced a proposal to prohibit utility disconnections in regions under a state of emergency. The Governor’s proposed legislation will apply to electric, gas, water, telecommunications, cable and internet services.

On January 8, Governor Cuomo announced the expansion of the state’s vaccination distribution network to help accelerate administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to New Yorkers eligible under group 1A and 1B. Essential workers and anyone over the age of 75 can begin to make vaccination reservations at administration sites on January 11.

(New York City): On January 12, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 174 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until January 17.

On January 8, 2021, Mayor de Blasio announced additional vaccination sites across the five boroughs. Beginning on January 10 and 11, vaccine sites will open in partnership with SOMOS and FDNY and other sites will be opened in the Bronx and Brooklyn.

January 11, 2021:

The Governor’s office updated the state on vaccination efforts, by reminding the state that the first priority is healthcare workers who are on the front lines. The next priority are essential workers including police, firefighters and 75+ New Yorkers (who have the highest death rate from COVID). Police are not included in the first priority, unless they are EMS or EMT professionals. Beginning on January 4, the following will be eligible to receive the vaccine:

All outpatient ambulatory front-line, high risk health care workers of any age who provide direct in-person patient care
All staff who are in direct contact with patients (i.e., intake staff)
All front-line, high-risk public health workers who have direct contact with patients, including those conducting COVID-19 tests, handling COVID-19 specimens and COVID-19 vaccinations

(New York City): On January 7, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 173 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until January 12.

January 7, 2021:

All outpatient ambulatory front-line, high risk health care workers of any age who provide direct in-person patient care
All staff who are in direct contact with patients (i.e., intake staff)
All front-line, high-risk public health workers who have direct contact with patients, including those conducting COVID-19 tests, handling COVID-19 specimens and COVID-19 vaccinations

(New York City): On January 7, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 173 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until January 12.

January 6, 2021:

Governor Cuomo’s vaccination distribution plan sets forth the following order for which the vaccine will be distributed in the state:

Phase 1: Healthcare workers, long-term care facility workers who regularly interact with residents and most at-risk long term care facility patients
Phase 2: First responders, teachers, public health workers, other essential frontline workers regularly interacting with the public, other long-term care facility patients and those living in other congregate settings and individuals in general population deemed particularly high risk
Phase 3: Individuals over 65 or individuals under 65 with high-risk comorbidities and health conditions
Phase 4: All other essential workers
Phase 5: Healthy adults and children

January 5, 2021:

(New York City): On January 5, Mayor de Blasio signed two bills expanding protections for fast food workers in New York City. These bills protect fast food workers from being fired without “just cause” or for a bona fide economic reason. The legislation builds upon the existing Fair Workweek enforcement via a private right of action by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

January 4, 2021:

(New York City): On January 2, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 172 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until January 7.

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.87 extending the New York State disaster emergency until January 29, 2021.

December 29, 2020:

Governor Cuomo today announced that New Yorkers can begin using sick leave benefits under the state's paid sick leave law starting January 1, 2021. The legislation secures paid sick leave for workers at medium and large businesses and paid or unpaid leave for those at small businesses, depending on the employer’s net income. More information can be found here.

On December 28, Governor Cuomo signed the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevent Act of 2020 preventing residential evictions, foreclosure proceedings, credit discrimination and negative credit reporting related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On December 27, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.85 extending the State disaster emergency for the entire State of New York through January 26, 2021.

On December 23, Governor Cuomo announced the issuance by the Department of Financial Services of a circular letter directing insurers to suspend certain preauthorization and administrative requirements to help hospitals implement New York’s “surge and flex” protocol. The letter directs hospitals to review urgent or non-elective scheduled inpatient surgeries, admissions and transfers. The directive also requires review for inpatient rehabilitation and home care services following an inpatient hospital admission.

(New York City): On December 29, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 171 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until January 3.

December 21, 2020:

On December 21, Governor Cuomo announced that British Airways, Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic have voluntarily agreed to require a COVID-19 test before allowing passengers to board planes traveling from the United Kingdom to New York. This voluntary move by the airlines is in response to a highly contagious variant of the COVID-19 virus found in the UK.

Governor Cuomo also announced he signed Executive Order 202.83 providing additional support for vulnerable homeowners and the restaurant industry. The Order allows for local governments to continue to provide property tax exemptions and lift the in-person renewal requirement for low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities who own property through 2021. Further, the sales tax deadline for restaurants, in areas affected by COVID-19, will be extended until March.

(New York City): On December 18, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 168 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until December 23.

December 16, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced that New York will advance $1.5 billion to organizations that need cash flow until February or March 2021, as New York awaits federal stimulus package for help to state and local governments.

December 15, 2020:

On December 13, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.82 allowing individuals in a medical, nursing, physician, pharmacy, dentistry, podiatric medicine and midwifery programs to, under the supervision of a licensed physician, physician assistant or certified nurse, administer vaccinations against the influenza and COVID-19 until January 12, 2021. More details about the specific restrictions can be found here.

On December 11, Governor Cuomo announced the second phase of New York Empire State Digital initiative to support New York restaurants and the food service industry affected by COVID-19. Through April 2021, e-commerce company Ritual will offer its commission-free digital platform Ritual ONE to New York’s restaurants and food service businesses at no cost, for pickup and delivery. Additionally, PayPal has committed $1 million towards discounted purchases for customers of participating businesses on Ritual ONE.

Additionally, on December 11, Governor Cuomo announced all indoor dining in New York City will be closed starting Monday December 14. Gyms and salons throughout the state will be allowed to stay open, with limited capacity requirements. Hospitals will be required to have a 25% increase in staffed beds and remain under 85% capacity, by either adding beds, reducing elective surgeries, or both.

(New York City): On December 13, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 167 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until December 18.

(Buffalo): On December 14, Mayor Brown announced that gyms and salons are permitted to reopen in Buffalo. The gyms and salons will be limited to a capacity of 25% for gyms and 50% for salons and barbershops.

December 14, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced the launch of the New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance partnership providing small businesses and their landlords with informational resources and pro bono assistance to assist both parties in finding mutually-beneficial lease workout agreements. This program will be available to all New York State small businesses and landlords. Those small businesses interested in participating in the program should complete the intake form.

December 10, 2020:

December 9, 2020:

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.80 extending the New York State disaster emergency until January 8, 2021.

December 8, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced another 36 bars and restaurants in New York State have had their liquor licenses suspended for illegally operating in micro-cluster zones. To date, 279 businesses liquor licenses have been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses found in violation of COVID-19 regulations face fines of up to $10,000 per violation, with egregious violations resulting in immediate suspension of a bar or restaurant’s liquor license.

December 7, 2020:

Governor Cuomo directed New York State Department of Health to begin implementing the state’s “surge and flex” protocol and mandate all hospitals begin expanding their bed capacity by 25% to prepare for a future COVID-19 surge. Further, Governor Cuomo asked retired doctors and nurses to return to service to help with a potential surge. If hospital capacity reaches critical capacities, additional restrictions will be applied to indoor dining.

(Buffalo): Mayor Brown announced that funding support is growing for the new Buffalo Business Blitz initiative. This initiative provides $2,500 grants to small businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

December 3, 2020:

December 1, 2020:

On November 30, Governor Cuomo announced New York’s plan for combating COVID-19 for this winter. The winter plan consists of five targeted strategies focused on mitigating the spread of the virus and bolstering New York State Hospital preparedness. The plan includes strategies like increasing testing resources and availability, preventing the viral spread from small gatherings, etc.

(New York City): On November 28, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 164 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until December 3.

On November 25, Mayor de Blasio and the NYC Department of Small Business Services Commissioner announced three financial assistance programs available for small businesses in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. The three programs provide critical resources to small businesses to help them out of the COVID-19 pandemic. To see more information about this these programs or to apply, visit here.

November 24, 2020:

(New York City): On November 23, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 163 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until November 28.

November 23, 2020:

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.77 requiring the Commissioner of Health to establish new guidelines for the acceptance of patients after being released from a nursing home or adult care facility for a leave of absence to visit friends or relatives.

November 19, 2020:

Governor Cuomo, along with the Governors of New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, announced that they encourage all residential colleges and universities across the Northeast to provide testing for all students traveling home for Thanksgiving break. Any student who tests positive will be encouraged to isolate on campus before traveling home for the holiday.

(New York City): On November 18, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 162 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until November 23.

(Buffalo): Mayor Brown announced that in accordance with Governor Cuomo’s orange zone restrictions high risk businesses, like gyms, hair and nail salons, barbers, tattoo and piercing studios, laser hair removal and other services in Buffalo will be closed starting on November 20.

November 16, 2020:

(New York City): On November 13, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 161 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until November 18.

November 11, 2020:

On November 11, Governor Cuomo announced new restrictions on bars, restaurants, gyms and residential gatherings in New York effective November 13 at 10:00 p.m. Bars, restaurants, and gyms will be required to close from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m., but restaurants and bars are still allowed to have delivery and curbside pickup after 10:00 p.m. Also, the Governor announced all indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people.

November 9, 2020:

(New York City): On November 8, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 160 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until November 13.

(Buffalo): Mayor Brown filed an amendment to extend the City of Buffalo’s Small Business Social Distancing Initiative through May 1, 2021. This initiative allows for small businesses and restaurants to use open spaces, like parking lots or sidewalks, to create more open air seating or retail space to maintain social distancing. This extension also allows small businesses to use propane heaters in these open spaces.

November 4, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced Executive Order 202.72, which provides modifications to current vehicle laws in New York. For instance, starting on December 1, 2020, there will be no more suspension of the penalty for not getting annual safety inspections and biennial emissions inspections. Also, the vehicle and traffic law that provided for an extension for temporary registration documents for auto dealers, will no longer be suspended. For more information, please find the order here.

(New York City): On November 3, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order No. 159 which modified sections of Emergency Executive Order No. 141. This order requires all transitory hotels, motels, inns and other short term rentals to require proof from all travelers that they have completed the State of New York Traveler Health Forms. Those travelers who have not completed the form shall not be allowed access to a room, until completing the form.

November 2, 2020:

October 31, Governor Cuomo announced Executive Order 205.2 with new guidelines allowing out-of-state travelers to “test-out” of New York’s mandatory 14-day quarantine effective on November 4. To “test-out,” travelers must be tested within three days prior to landing in New York, then they must quarantine for three days. On the fourth day, the travelers must get a test and if that test is negative, they can exit quarantine. Travelers who were out of the state less than 24 hours do not have to quarantine but need to get a test on their fourth day back. Travelers coming from states that are contiguous to New York will continue to be exempt from the travel advisory.

(New York City): On October 29, Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 158 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City until November 3.

October 28, 2020:

(New York City): Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Open Storefronts program, permitting businesses to use a portion of their sidewalk to display merchandise, sell goods, complete transactions, and providing queuing areas. An eight-foot clear path of sidewalk from the curb must be maintained for Open Storefronts to operate. Stores can only use their own space and must bring all furniture and goods indoors when closed. The program will run from October 30 until December 31.

October 27, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced California will be added to New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. No areas have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from an area with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

There are currently 41 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

October 26, 2020:

On October 23, Governor Cuomo announced 21 additional liquor licenses for bars and restaurants have been suspended due to egregious violations of pandemic-related Executive Orders. In New York, a total of 238 liquor licenses have been suspended during the coronavirus pandemic. Business found to violate pandemic related regulations can face up to $10,000 fines per violation, with egregious violations resulting in suspension of their liquor license.

(New York City): Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 156 extending the State of Emergency declaration in New York City for another five days.

October 20, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced that two states—Arizona and Maryland—have been added to New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. No areas have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from an area with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

There are currently 40 states and territories that are under the travel advisory stated above: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.70 extending the state’s moratorium on COVID-related commercial evictions and foreclosures through January 1, 2021. This order extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors.

October 19, 2020:

On October 18, Governor Cuomo announced that New York ski resorts would be allowed to reopen with 50% indoor capacity beginning on November 6, 2020. Restrictions will still be in place for anyone visiting a ski resort, including: masks required when not eating, drinking, or skiing, limited lifts to members of the same party, required thorough cleaning and disinfection, etc.

Governor Cuomo announced most movie theatres outside of New York City can reopen starting on October 23, 2020. The theatres will be limited to 50% capacity and no more than 50 people per screen. In order to reopen, the theatre must be in a county where the COVID-19 positivity rates are less than 2% on a 14-day average and the county does not have any cluster zones.

October 15, 2020:

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.69 re-imposing the state requirement for annual safety inspections and at least biennial emissions inspections for vehicles, as of November 3, 2020.

(New York City): Mayor Bill de Blasio, of New York City, announced winter outdoor dining guidance in Executive Order No. 153. This order provides the guidance for city restaurants who plan to stay open and serve customers with outdoor heating devices this fall and winter. Restaurants wanting to provide heating for their customers have three options: (1) electric radiant heaters allowed in sidewalk and roadway setups; (2) natural gas radiant heaters allowed for sidewalk setups only, and (3) portable heaters fueled by propane will also be allowed on sidewalks. Business owners should consult http://www.nyc.gov/CovidZone for more information.

October 13, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced that three states—Ohio, Michigan, and Virginia—have been added to New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. No areas have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from an area with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

There are currently 38 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

(New York City): New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, signed Executive Order 152 extending the declaration of a state of emergency in the City of New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 12, 2020:

On October 9, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.68 extending the penalties for activities that contribute to the transmission of COVID-19 and giving the Department of Health the authority to restrict certain activities, as discussed further below. Until November 5, any individual who encourages or promotes a non-essential gathering can be fined $15,000 per day. Additionally, any penalties for individuals who fail to maintain social distance or wear a face covering during this State disaster emergency will be fined $1,000 per violation.

The Department of Health has the authority to impose health restrictions based upon clusters of COVID-19 cases. The three zones and the applicable restrictions, beginning October 9, 2020, are detailed below.

Red Zone Restrictions:
- Non-essential gatherings must be postponed or canceled;
- Non-essential businesses must reduce in-person workforce by 100%;
- Houses of worship will be limited to 25% capacity or 10 people, whichever is fewer;
- Restaurants and taverns will not be allowed to serve food or beverages on the premises, but take-out will be allowed; and
- No in-person schooling.

Orange Zone Restrictions:
- Non-essential gatherings limited to 10 people;
- Non-essential businesses with higher risk of spreading COVID-19 must reduce in-person workforce by 100%;
  - Including the following businesses: gyms, fitness centers, barbers, hair salons, spas, tattoo or piercing parlors, nail technicians or nail salons, cosmetologists, estheticians, provision of laser hair removal and electrolysis, and other personal care services
- Houses of worship will be limited to 33% capacity or 25 people, whichever is fewer;
- Restaurants and taverns will not be allowed to serve food or beverages on-premises, but may provide outdoor service, with no party to exceeding four people, and take-out services; and
- No in-person schooling.

Yellow Zone Restrictions:
- Non-essential gatherings limited to 25 people;
- Houses of worship will be limited to 50% capacity;
- Restaurants and taverns will limit each party size to four people; and
- Mandatory testing of students and school personnel

On October 4, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.67 extending the declaration of a State disaster emergency and extending most provisions of Executive Order No. 202 and each successive order, which has not been suspended, until November 3, 2020.

Additionally, the following temporarily suspended or modified statutes, will go back into effect starting on November 3, 2020:

Period of validity and expiration of a non-driver identification card;

Period of validity and expiration of a registered certificate or plate for a motor vehicle, trailer, motorcycle, snowmobile, vessel, limited use vehicle, and all-terrain vehicles;

Validity for temporary registration documents issued by auto dealers; and

Specific time limit tolled for commencement, filing or service of any legal action, notice, motion, or other process or proceedings proscribed by New York procedural laws.

On September 29, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.66 preventing eviction judgements and warrants, with regards to residential property, for anyone suffering from financial hardship during the COVID-19 State disaster emergency, including those cases arising between March 7, 2020 through January 1, 2021.

On September 28, Governor Cuomo announced an expansion of Executive Order No. 205 by requiring a 14-day quarantine to anyone traveling to New York from any country with a CDC level 2 or 3 health notice. Currently, 35 states and territories meet the New York criteria for a 14-day quarantine, but this Executive Order expands that requirement to anyone traveling to New York from a country with moderate to high transmission risk. Additionally, these travelers must complete a Department of Health traveler form or be subject to a civil penalty.

On September 23, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.65. This Executive Order extends the declaration of a State disaster emergency and extended most provisions of Executive Order No. 202 and each successive order, which has not been suspended, for another thirty days to October 23, 2020.

September 23, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced that five states—Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island, and Wyoming—have been added to New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. No areas have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from an area with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

There are currently 35 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arkansas; Arizona; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; Nevada; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; West Virginia; and Wyoming.

September 21, 2020:

Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced the signing of Executive Order No. 202.64, extending the state's moratorium on COVID-related commercial evictions and foreclosures an additional month, until October 20. This measure extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors in recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on business owners, including retail establishments and restaurants.

September 15, 2020:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that six states—California, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada and Ohio—have been removed from New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. The states remaining on the advisory list are Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

September 10, 2020:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on September 10 that indoor dining in New York City will be allowed to resume beginning September 30 with a 25 percent occupancy limit. All restaurants that choose to reopen will be subject to strict safety protocols, including temperature checks, contact information for tracing, face coverings when not seated and other safety protocols. Bar service will not be permitted, and restaurants will close at midnight. Guidelines will be reassessed based on the data by November 1. If the infection rate does not increase, restaurants may be permitted to go to 50 percent capacity. The State will monitor any positivity increase on an ongoing basis and potentially reassess if necessary. Business guidance for indoor dining in New York City is available here.

September 8, 2020:

Governor Cuomo today announced four additional states—Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia—meet the metrics to qualify for New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from an area with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

September 1, 2020:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced two additional states—Alaska and Montana—meet the metrics to qualify for New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. No areas have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from an area with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

August 26, 2020:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that five states—Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Maryland and Montana—have been removed from New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. Guam has been added. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from an area with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

Further, school-sponsored sports in all regions may begin to practice and play beginning September 21. However, travel for practice or play will be prohibited outside of the school's region or contiguous regions or counties until October 19. For the fall sports season, lower- and moderate-risk sports include tennis, soccer, cross country, field hockey and swimming. Higher-risk sports, including those with full physical contact, may begin to practice on September 21 but cannot play until a later date or December 31. In accordance with the Department of Health's guidance for sports and recreation during the COVID-19 public health emergency, practices for higher-risk sports are limited to individual or group, no- to low-contact training. Higher-risk sports include football, wrestling, rugby, hockey and volleyball.

Finally, Governor Cuomo issued an executive order requiring boards of elections to take concrete steps to inform voters of upcoming deadlines, be prepared for upcoming elections and help ensure absentee ballots can be used in all elections. On August 20, Governor Cuomo signed into law sweeping election reforms that will make it easier for New Yorkers to vote and be counted in November. The executive order requires county boards of elections to take the following actions:

Send a mailing outlining all deadlines for voters by Tuesday, September 8.
Send staffing plans and needs to the New York State Board of Elections by September 20 so BOE can assist in ensuring adequate coverage.
Adopt a uniform clarified envelope for absentee ballots and require counties to use it.
Count votes faster: require all objections to be made by the county board in real time, make sure that boards are ready to count votes and reconcile affidavit and absentee ballots by 48 hours after elections.
Provide an option for New Yorkers to vote absentee in village, town and special district elections.

August 11, 2020:

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo added Hawaii, South Dakota and the Virgin Islands to the state’s travel advisory which requires travelers from those states and territories to quarantine for 14 days. Governor Cuomo removed restrictions on travelers from Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island.

August 4, 2020:

Governor Andrew Cuomo expanded New York’s quarantine advisory to individuals traveling to the state from Rhode Island.

July 29, 2020:

Governor Andrew Cuomo expanded New York’s quarantine advisory to individuals traveling to the state from the District of Columbia, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Puerto Rico.

July 21, 2020:

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that 10 additional states meet the metrics to qualify for the travel advisory requiring individuals who have traveled to New York from those states, all of which have significant community spread, to quarantine for 14 days. The newly added states are Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia and Washington.

July 14, 2020:

Today, July 14, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that four additional states meet the metrics to qualify for the travel advisory requiring individuals who have traveled to New York from those states, all of which have significant community spread, to quarantine for 14 days.

The newly-added states are Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio and Wisconsin. Delaware has been removed. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average. This measure compliments the travel enforcement operation that commences today at airports across the state to help ensure travelers are following the state's quarantine restrictions and to help contain

July 13, 2020:

On July 13, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a travel enforcement operation will commence Tuesday, July 14th, at airports across the state to help ensure travelers are following the state's quarantine restrictions and to help contain the rates of COVID-19 transmission in New York State.

As part of the enforcement operation, enforcement teams will be stationed at airports statewide to meet arriving aircrafts at gates and greet disembarking passengers to request proof of completion of the State Department of Health traveler form, which is being distributed to passengers by airlines prior to, and upon boarding or disembarking flights to New York State. Consequently, travelers who leave the airport without completing the form will be subject to a $2,000 fine and may be brought to a hearing and ordered to complete mandatory quarantine.

July 7, 2020:

On July 7, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that three additional states meet the metrics to qualify for the travel advisory requiring individuals who have traveled to New York from those states, all of which have significant community spread, to quarantine for 14 days. The newly-added states are Delaware, Kansas and Oklahoma. As of Tuesday, July 7, there are a total of 19 states total that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Delaware, Florida; Georgia; Iowa; Idaho; Kansas; Louisiana; Oklahoma, Mississippi; North Carolina; Nevada; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; and Utah.

Additionally, Long Island was cleared to enter Phase 4 of reopening starting tomorrow, July 8.

July 6, 2020:

On July 6th, Governor Cuomo announced that New York City will enter Phase III of reopening, without indoor dining and subject to forthcoming comprehensive state guidance. The Mid-Hudson region will enter Phase IV of reopening tomorrow, July 7. Long Island is on track to enter Phase IV on Wednesday, July 8.

The governor also announced that the New York State Department of Health is finalizing guidance on the possible reopening of schools in September. New York State previously directed all school districts to develop reopening plans. A decision on whether to reopen schools in September has not been made yet.

Governor Cuomo also announced that casinos and movie theaters will currently remain closed as the state government continues to review the science and facts on their safe reopening.

July 1, 2020:

On July 1st, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the reopening of New York City indoor dining, originally part of the city's expected entry into Phase Three on July 6, will be postponed as states across the country that previously reopened indoor dining are experiencing upticks in COVID-19 cases. The governor also announced that New York State will expand its testing criteria to all New Yorkers statewide. Governor Cuomo also announced that New York State will create an enforcement department to supplement the local enforcement of COVID-19 guidance and restrictions.

June 30, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced that eight additional states meet the metrics to qualify for the travel advisory requiring individuals who have traveled to New York from those states, all of which have significant community spread, to quarantine for 14 days. The newly added states are California, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and Tennessee.

The quarantine applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average. As of Tuesday, June 30, there are currently 16 states total that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Florida; Georgia; Iowa; Idaho; Louisiana; Mississippi; North Carolina; Nevada; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; and Utah.

Governor Cuomo also announced that the Capital Region and has cleared it to enter Phase 4 of reopening starting tomorrow, July 1.

June 29, 2020:

On June 29, 2020 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced New York will assist states with high infection rates, as several states begin to see spikes in COVID-19. The Governor also announced the 7-day average of positive tests is 1.1 percent - the lowest of any big state in the nation, and that New York yesterday saw the lowest number of hospitalizations since March 18. Additionally, the Governor announced five upstate regions enter Phase 4 reopening: North Country, Mohawk Valley, Central New York, Southern Tier, Finger Lakes.

June 24, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced that five regions--Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country and the Southern Tier—are on track to enter Phase IV of reopening on Friday. New York State issued guidance for Phase IV, which will allow low-risk indoor and outdoor arts and entertainment, film and TV production, higher education and professional sports without fans. Governor Cuomo also announced that in Phase IV of reopening, social gatherings of up to 50 people will be allowed and indoor religious gatherings will be allowed at up to 33 percent of the indoor site's capacity.

New York, along with New Jersey and Connecticut will also be requiring any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. Currently, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah, and Texas meet that threshold.

June 22, 2020:

The Governor announced that global public health experts cleared the Mid-Hudson Valley to enter Phase 3 of reopening on June 23. Long Island is on track to enter Phase 3 of reopening on June 24.

June 17, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced that that New York City is on track to enter Phase Two of reopening on June 22. The Mid-Hudson Valley is on track to enter Phase Three of reopening on June 23 and Long Island is on track to enter Phase Three of reopening June 24 based on current data.

Governor Cuomo also announced that the New York State Department of Financial Services has reached an agreement with New York's credit reporting industry to help New York consumers facing hardship caused by COVID-19 to avoid unjustified negative impacts on consumers' credit reports. DFS also urges New York State-regulated financial institutions to furnish credit information in ways that minimizes negative impacts on consumers. Credit reporting agencies will:

Provide one free credit report each month through November 2020;
Inform financial institutions of procedures that allow institutions to report missed or delinquent payments in ways that minimize the impact on consumers' credit histories and credit scores;
Apprise financial institutions of their credit reporting obligations under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides relief for consumers; and
Communicate with financial institutions about credit reporting that may not comply with the requirements of the CARES Act.

June 16, 2020:

Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.42, which modifies Executive Orders 202.35 and 202.38 (limiting the size gatherings to ten people) to allow gatherings of 25 or fewer individuals, for any lawful purpose or reason, provided that the location of the gathering is in a region that has reached Phase 3 of the State’s reopening, and social distancing protocols and cleaning and disinfection protocols required by the Department of Health are adhered to. Governor Cuomo also announced that he has directed the State Department of Health to allow midwife-led birthing centers in New York for the first time, in an effort to increase access to quality health facility options for childbirth. The directive also included the creation of a streamlined process to accept licensure applications to convert unused space in their facility to dedicated labor and delivery spaces during an emergency.

June 11, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced that five additional regions, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier - will enter phase three of reopening tomorrow, June 12th. The team of global public health experts advising New York State on its reopening strategy has thoroughly reviewed the data for the five regions and cleared them to enter phase three. Phase three allows indoor restaurant and food services and personal care services to resume. Each industry is subject to specific state guidelines to maximize safety and social distancing. Governor Cuomo also announced that localities will be allowed to open public pools and playgrounds at their discretion today, June 11, while following state guidance.

June 10, 2020:

Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.39 on Wednesday, June 10. The Order modifies Executive Order 202.30 to the extent that the operator and administrator of all nursing homes and all adult care facilities, which are located in regions that have reached Phase Two of reopening, must test or make arrangements for the testing of all personnel, including all employees, contract staff, medical staff, operators and administrators, for COVID-19, once per week.

The Order also modifies the education law to the extent necessary to provide that, in the event that the original budget proposed by a school district is not approved by the voters at an election held on June 9, 2020, pursuant to Executive Order 202.26, any resubmission to the voters of the original or revised budget shall be conducted at a date and by a process determined by a future Executive Order, and mandating that the revote shall not occur prior to July 9, 2020.

June 9, 2020:

Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.39 on Sunday, June 7. The Order modifies sections of the Education Law to allow for absentee voting in school board elections, exempt school districts from completing annual performance reviews for teachers and principals for the 2019-2020 school year without withholding any apportionment of funds for the support of public schools, and to allow a board of trustees or education for a district to appoint on tenure teachers and principals in the final year of the probationary period with the requisite performance review ratings and would otherwise have been determined qualified for such appointment. The Order also modifies Executive Order No. 202.38 to allow for restaurants and bars in regions that are in Phase 2 to serve patrons food or beverages on premises in outdoor space and, modifies Executive Order No. 202.4 ‒ requiring local governments to allow non-essential personnel to work from home or take leave without charging accruals and to keep the number of such personnel to no less than 50% of the entire workforce ‒ to apply only to local governments who are not eligible for Phase Two reopening, with the caveat that such local governments in Phase Two regions may bring non-essential employees back to work beginning two weeks after such region meets the metrics to reopen Phase Two.

June 8, 2020:

Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.38 on Saturday, June 6. The Order allows commercial building owners and those that manage public spaces to require individuals to undergo temperature checks prior to being allowed admittance. Individuals that do not comply and individuals with temperatures above the New York State Department of Health Guidelines may be denied entrance. The Order also modifies Executive Order No. 202.3 to allow for restaurants and bars in regions that are in Phase 2 to serve patrons food or beverages on premises in outdoor space.

June 2, 2020:

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.36 on Tuesday, June 2. The Order modifies Executive Order 202.7 to allow for the opening of barbershops and hair solons in Phase Two regions, subject to Department of Health guidance. The Order also allows “outdoor, low-risk recreational activities” to resume in Phase One regions and allows businesses that provide the activities to reopen there subject to Department of Health guidance.

May 29, 2020:

Governor Cuomo today signed Executive Orders No. 202.34 and No. 202.35 on Friday, May 29. Order No. 202.34 extends New York on PAUSE, which requires postponement, cancellation, or restriction on size of all non-essential gatherings of more than ten individuals, “until and unless later amended” by a future order. The Order notes, though, that as soon as a region meets the prescribed public health and safety metrics, as determined by the Department of Health, they will be eligible for Phase One reopening.

As of May 28, 2020, the regions meeting the prescribed public health and safety metrics required for Phase One reopening are: Finger Lakes, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, North Country, Western New York, Capital Region, Mid-Hudson, and Long Island. Such regions include the counties of Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara, Albany, Columbia, Greene, Saratoga, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Warren, Washington, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk. Any additional regions that later meet the criteria will be incorporated into the Order and will be permitted to re-open Phase One industries.

Order No. 202.35 also extends New York On PAUSE “until and unless later amended” by a future order. It adds that effective at 1:00 p.m. on May 29, 2020 the reductions and restrictions on the in-person workforce at non-essential businesses or other entities shall no longer apply to Phase Two industries. Phase Two industries include, for example, Professional Services, Administrative Support, Retail In-store Shopping, and limited services from Barbershops and Hair Salons. Order 202.35 notes that as of May 29, 2020 the regions meeting the prescribed public health and safety metrics required for Phase Two reopening are: Finger Lakes, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, and the North Country. Any additional regions that meet the criteria later will be incorporated into the Order and will be permitted to re-open Phase Two industries.

May 26, 2020:

On Thursday, May 21, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.32. The Order allows for the reopening of racetracks in the state as of June 1, 2020 without spectators. The Order also amends Executive Order 202.18 and 202.29 to now permit a gathering of ten or fewer individuals for any religious service or ceremony or for any Memorial Day service.

The Order also provides for a twenty-one day postponement without interest or penalty for property taxes in numerous localities throughout the state.

May 15, 2020:

On Thursday, May 14, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.31, which continues in large part the stay at home orders, or New York on PAUSE, until 11:59 p.m. on May 28, 2020. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 15, though, reductions and restrictions on the in-person workforce at non-essential businesses or other entities no longer apply to Construction, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, Retail (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off), Manufacturing, and Wholesale Trade in regions that meet the prescribed health and safety metrics. Currently, those regions are the Finger Lakes, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, and the North Country.

May 11, 2020:

Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.30 on Sunday, May 10. The Order requires that all nursing homes and adult care facilities test or make arrangements for the testing of all personnel for COVID-19 twice per week. Any positive results must be reported to the Department of health no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day following the receipt of positive results. By May 15th, the operator and the administrator of all nursing homes and adult care facilities must provide the Department of Health a certification of compliance with Executive Order 202.30. Failure to comply with this Order could subject the nursing home to $2,000 fines per violation per day or the Commissioner of Health may suspend or revoke the operating certificate of a noncompliant facility.

The Order also prohibits hospitals from discharging any patient to a nursing home unless the nursing home has certified that it is able to properly care for the patient and the patient has tested negative for COVID-19.

May 8, 2020:

Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.28. The Order allows tenants of residential properties to enter into agreements with their landlords to use any security deposit to pay rent in arrears or that will become due. The Order also extends New York’s temporary moratorium on evictions. Through June 6, 2020, there may be no initiation of a proceeding or enforcement of either an eviction of any residential or commercial tenant, for nonpayment of rent or a foreclosure of any residential or commercial mortgage, for nonpayment of such mortgage, owned or rented by someone that is eligible for unemployment insurance or benefits under state or federal law or otherwise facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic for a period of sixty days beginning on June 20, 2020.

May 5, 2020:

Governor Cuomo again stated on Tuesday, May 5 that New York would reopen by region once “it is safe to do so.” Last month, Governor Cuomo extended the stay-at-home order, which currently is set to expire on May 15, 2020.

April 30, 2020:

On Wednesday, April 29, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.25, which modifies Executive Order No. 202.10’s cancelation of elective surgeries and procedures. The modified order will allow certain general hospitals to perform elective surgeries and procedures if, within its county, the total available hospital inpatient capacity is over thirty percent and the total available hospital ICU capacity is over thirty percent and the total change, from April 17, 2020 to April 27, 2020, in the number of hospitalized patients who are positive for COVID-19 is fewer than ten. A hospital in an eligible county itself must also meet the same criteria to begin providing elective surgeries and procedures.

General hospitals that do not meet the criteria to perform elective surgeries and procedures may seek a waiver from the prohibition by submitting a plan to the Department of Health. All general hospitals authorized perform elective surgeries and procedures must report to the Department of Health the number and types of surgeries and procedures performed.

April 28, 2020:

On Tuesday, April 28 Governor Cuomo announced the creation of the New York Forward Re-Opening Advisory Board and provided additional guidelines for a phased re-opening of the state by region. Phase one will include reopening construction and manufacturing functions with low risk, and phase two will open certain industries based on priority and risk level.

April 26, 2020:

Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.23 on Friday, April 24. That Order authorizes the Commissioner of Health to suspend or revoke the operating certificate of any skilled nursing facility or adult care facility if it is determined that the facility has not adhered to any regulations or directives issued by the Commissioner of Health. If a facility is determined to not be in compliance, the Commissioner may appoint a receiver to continue the operations on 24 hours’ notice to the current operator. The Order went into effect immediately and will continue through May 24, 2020.

On Saturday, April 25, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.24. That Order allows for licensed pharmacists to be designated as a qualified healthcare professional for the purpose of directing a limited service laboratory, pursuant to subdivision 579(3) of the Public Health Law, to test patients suspected of a COVID-19 infection or its antibodies as long as the test is FDA-approved and waived for use in a limited service laboratory. Order 202.24 went into effect immediately and will continue through May 25, 2020.

During his briefing on Sunday, April 26, Governor Cuomo announced that New York will follow the CDC’s recommendation and not have major reopening within the state until state and regional hospitalization rates see a decline for fourteen days.

April 19, 2020:

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.19 on Friday, April 17. Order No. 202.19 waives the ninety-day requirement for businesses to provide employment loss notice for businesses that receive federal Paycheck Protection Program funding and subsequently rehire employees, provided that the business receiving the funding supplied the required notice when it initially laid off employees. Now, notice is required “as soon as practicable.”

April 17, 2020:

On Thursday, April 16, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.18. The order extends New York on PAUSE, the state’s stay-at-home order, through 11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2020. The order also temporarily relaxes some state licensing requirements for medical professionals licensed in other jurisdictions to practice in New York.

Executive Order No. 202.17, which requires most individuals to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain social distance, goes into effect at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020 and will continue until May 15, 2020.

April 16, 2020:

Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.17 on Wednesday, April 15. The order requires all individuals over age two who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining, social distance. The order goes into effect at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020 and will continue until May 15, 2020.

Governor Cuomo announced on Thursday, April 16 that New York on PAUSE, the state’s stay-at-home order, would be extended to May 15, 2020.

April 15, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced on Wednesday, April 15 that he will sign an executive order that will require everyone in New York to “wear a mask or face covering in public in situations where social distancing is not possible.”

April 13, 2020:

On Sunday, April 12, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.16. The order requires all essential businesses or entities, at their expense, to provide employees present in the workplace face coverings that the employees must wear when in direct contact with customers or members of the public. This requirement takes effect Wednesday, April 15 at 8 p.m. and is in effect until May 12, 2020.

The order also suspends any laws that otherwise would create a landlord tenant relationship between an individual assisting with the response to COVID-19 or any individual that has been displaced due to COVID-19, and any individual or entity, like a hotel, hospital, not-for-profit housing provider, or any other temporary housing provider who provides temporary housing for a period of thirty days or more solely for purposes of assisting in the response to COVD-19.

April 12, 2020:

On Sunday, April 12, Governor Cuomo announced that he would be signing a new executive order that will require employers to provide essential workers with cloth or surgical face masks to wear when directly interacting with the public.

April 10, 2020:

On Thursday, April 9, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.15, which suspends and modifies multiple laws. Among others, it allows manufacturers and wholesalers of prescription drugs or devices licensed or registered in any other state to deliver prescription drugs or devices into New York. The order took effect immediately and will last through May 9, 2020.

April 7, 2020:

Governor Cuomo on Tuesday April 7 signed Executive Order No. 202.14. The order extends most provisions of Executive Order 202 and each successive order, which has not been superseded, for thirty days to May 7, 2020. The order did not extend the in-person business restrictions and workplace restrictions, which still are effective through April 29, 2020.

The order also requires that any entity that possesses personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, respirators, bi-pap, anesthesia, or other necessary equipment or supplies as determined by the Commissioner of Health must inventory such supplies and report it to the Department of Health. The order allows the Department to “shift any such items not currently needed or needed in the short term future by a health care facility, to be transferred to a facility in urgent need of such inventory.” The Department must either return the inventory as soon as it is “no longer urgently needed” or ensure compensation is paid for it at the prevailing market rate at the time of acquisition.

April 6, 2020:

Governor Cuomo announced on Monday April 6 that he has extended New York on PAUSE through April 29, 2020. New York on PAUSE requires all non-essential businesses or entities to cease all in-person operations. Essential businesses and entities may continue to operate but only with those employees that are needed to provide the products and services that are essential. Governor Cuomo announced also that he would be doubling the maximum fine for violations of the mandated social distancing rules.

April 3, 2020:

On Friday April 3rd Governor Cuomo announced he would be signing an executive order that allows the state to “take ventilators” from hospitals and medical facilities and “redistribute” them to hospitals in need. He intends to mobilize the National Guard to transport the ventilators throughout the state.

March 31, 2020:

Monday, March 30th, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.13. That order suspends and modifies numerous laws by generally relaxing or removing various requirements. For example, it extends the grace period by 90 days for late payment on life insurance premiums for those facing a financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and it imposes a 60-day moratorium on insurers cancelling, non-renewing, or conditionally renewing any workers’ compensation insurance policy issued to an individual or small business facing a financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The order took effect immediately and will remain in effect until April 28, 2020.

March 30, 2020:

Friday, March 27, the state issued updated guidance on determining whether a business is subject to a workforce reduction under Executive Order 202.6. Governor Cuomo also issued Executive Order 202.11. That order suspends and modifies numerous laws by generally relaxing or removing various requirements. For example, it allows pharmacists to practice at alternative locations and allows electronic signatures to be used for the authorization of funeral services. Sunday, March 29, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.12. That order moved the state’s primary election originally scheduled for April 28, 2020 to June 23, 2020.

Governor Cuomo also announced that he extended New York State on PAUSE through April 15, 2020. All non-essential businesses statewide must continue to be closed and all non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason will continue to be prohibited at least through April 15.

March 24, 2020:

Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.10 on March 23rd. The order suspends and modifies numerous laws by relaxing or outright removing limitations and requirements placed on hospital and health care providers. For example, the order allows physician assistants to provide medical services appropriate to their education, training and experience without oversight from a supervising physician and it relieves recordkeeping requirements to the extent necessary for health care providers to perform tasks as may be necessary to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The order also prohibits non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason. The order took effect immediately and it remains in effect through April 22, 2020.

March 22, 2020:

Beginning at 8:00 pm on March 22nd, the New York State on PAUSE Executive Order requires that all non-essential businesses must close in-office personnel functions statewide. Essential businesses include twelve categories as detailed in Executive Order 202.6: (1) Essential Health Care Operations; (2) Essential Infrastructure; (3) Essential Manufacturing; (4) Essential Retail; (5) Essential Services; (6) News Media; (7) Financial Institutions; (8) Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations; (9) Construction; (10) Defense; (11) Essential Services Necessary to Maintain the Safety, Sanitation and Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses; and (12) Vendors that Provide Essential Services or Products, Including Logistics and Technology Support, Child Care and Services.

A business that believes it is essential but that does not fall within one of the twelve categories may request designation as an essential business by completing this form. Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet.

New York: State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance

NEW YORK

For more information on this state's COVID-19 rules: