COVID-19 Updates: New York State

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 which meet the criteria after such date will be deemed to be incorporated into this Executive Order without further revision and will be permitted to re-open Phase two industries, subject to the same terms and conditions.

Through June 27, 2020, the Order allows any business operator or owner the discretion to enforce a previous directive which requires any individual over age two, and able to medically tolerate a face-covering, be required to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place, including the right to deny entry to those not wearing a mask. It also does not prohibit or limit the right of State and local enforcement authorities from imposing fines or other penalties for any violation of the directive.

Executive Order 202.10, as later extended by Executive Order 202.18, Executive Order 202.29 and as extended and amended by Executive Order 202.32, which prohibited all non-essential gatherings of any size for any reason, except for any religious service or ceremony, or for the purposes of any Memorial Day service or commemoration, which allowed ten or fewer individuals to gather, provided that social distancing protocols and cleaning and disinfection protocols required by the Department of Health are adhered to is hereby modified to permit any non-essential gathering of ten or fewer individuals, for any lawful purpose or reason, provided that social distancing protocols and cleaning and disinfection protocols required by the Department of Health are adhered to.

Extends the suspensions and modifications of law, and any directives, not superseded by a subsequent directive, made by Executive Orders 202.23 through 202.27, for thirty days until June 20, 2020. It also extends by twenty-one days the period for paying, without interest or penalty, property taxes for an affected county, city, town, village or school district whose chief executive officer has requested an extension.

Extends the moratorium on residential or commercial COVID-related evictions and late fees through August 20, 2020, extends the closure of all schools through the remainder of the academic year, extends the provisions of previous Executive Orders (scheduled to expire on May 7th) until June 6th (except for certain specified provisions), and makes certain modification to Criminal Procedure law, among other provisions.

Requires any individual who is over age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering be required 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. It also requires letters of no-action or no-filing be issued by the Attorney General.

Extends the cancellation of all non-essential public and private gatherings, school closures, and all in-person business restrictions and workplace restrictions to April 29, 2020, gives the Department of Health the power to move medical equipment and supplies  to areas of immediate need; such equipment and supplies will either be returned or the entities will be monetarily compensated, and increases fine for social distancing violations, among other provisions.

Moves the State’s Presidential Primary and Special Elections to June 23, 2020, delays the state’s tax filing day to July 15 to match the Federal filing date and directs all hospitals to allow one person, who does not have a fever, to be present as a support person for a patient giving birth.

Allows customers of New York chartered banks a 90-day forbearance of payments on their mortgage if they are affected by COVID-19 related hardships. The order also affects fees for the use of automated teller machines (ATMs), overdraft fees, and credit card late fees.

Mandates reduction of onsite workforce for non-essential businesses by 100% no later than March 22 at 8 p.m.,  directs 90-day moratorium on any residential or commercial evictions, and authorizes the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance to abate late filing and payment penalties for a period of 60 days for a taxpayers who are required to file returns and remit sales and use taxes by March 20, 2020, for the sales tax quarterly period that ended February 29, 2020.

Requires non-essential employers to reduce the in-person workforce by 75% no later than March 21 at 8 pm. This order also expands the public gathering prohibition to barber shops, salons, and other businesses as of March 21 at 8pm and includes provisions for notarial services.

Nonessential businesses to reduce onsite workforce by 50%.

Closure of certain common portions of retail shopping malls and all places of public amusement.

Directing all schools in New York to close by Wednesday, March 18 for two weeks ending April 1.

Mandating the closing of restaurants, movie theaters, bars, gyms and casinos and limits the statewide occupancy limit to 50 people.

Delaying village elections statewide until the April 28 primary election.

Any gathering under 500 individuals required to cut capacity by 50%, suspension of the 7 day waiting period for unemployment, suspension of laws relating to emergency procurement, restriction of nursing home visitations and the waiver of requirements necessary for apportionment of school aid.

Declaring a Disaster Emergency in the State of New York.