Update for Monday, June 8, 2020

• In today’s (Monday) press conference, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the deadline for small businesses to file a property tax abatement is being extended by 90 days.
• A new Executive Order has been signed that allows places of worship to reopen in Phase 2 at a 25% capacity basis, with social distancing precautions in place. Guidance on how to clean and disinfect houses of worship can be found HERE. The Executive Order can be found HERE.
• The Executive Order also permits commercial building owners, retail store owners, and those authorized on their behalf to manage public places within their buildings and businesses, to require individuals to undergo temperature checks prior to being allowed admittance. Operators can deny admittance to any individual who refuses to undergo such temperatures check, or any individual whose temperature is above that proscribed by New York State Department of Health Guidelines.
• REMINDER: As our region prepares to enter Phase 2 tomorrow, business owners must both affirm the State guidelines and create a safety plan. Both of those necessary documents can be found HERE.
• Legislation has been signed by the governor that bans price gouging for personal protective equipment for the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can report cases of price gouging HERE.
• The governor signed a new Executive Order that allows in-person special education summer schools to operate in the State. The Executive Order can be found HERE.
• Dutchess businesses are encouraged to #ThinkLocalFirst by showing off their #ShopDutchess Open For Business badge HERE. While you’re there, be sure to watch the video created by Think Dutchess on why it is important to support fellow Dutchess County businesses.
• ARE YOU AN EMPLOYER THAT HAS REMAINED AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS OR ARE YOU PREPARING TO REOPEN YOUR BUSINESS OR NON-PROFIT? THESE ARE IMPORTANT STEPS YOU MUST TAKE:
  1. Go to the NY Forward website HERE. 
  2. Click on “Phase Two Guidance.”
  3. Select your industry by scrolling down on the left side navigation bar.
  4. Click on and read “View Summary Guidelines” for your industry.
  5. Click on and read “Read and Affirm the Detailed Guidelines” for your industry, and then click the link at the bottom of the page or HEREto complete the form and hit submit.
  6. Click on “Print Business Safety Plan Template” for your industry, and then print and fill out the template, and keep on file at your place of business.
  7. Implement the Safety Plan. 

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is holding his daily news conference on the Covid-19 outbreak following more than a week of nationwide protests over the police killing of George Floyd.

On Friday, Cuomo said the number of coronavirus deaths in New York state hit an all-time low since the beginning of the outbreak. The number of lives lost from the virus was 42 on Thursday, marking the lowest daily death toll in eight weeks. The state also reported its lowest number of total hospitalizations to date, according to Cuomo.

Since the height of the state’s outbreak in late March and early April when close to 800 people were dying every day, the number of daily deaths related to Covid-19 has been on a slow, steady decline, according to state health department data.

Last week, the governor said New York would expand its testing criteria to include the tens of thousands of people who participated in recent Floyd protests. His death at the hands of Minneapolis police May 25 has sparked international demonstrations that have drawn tens of thousands of protesters in cities across the world. Cuomo said last week the protests drew about 20,000 people in New York City alone and approximately 30,000 across the state.

“Our churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of faith need to be available for neighbors, leaders and community to come together. The personal interaction that occurs in faith communities can prove invaluable.

We fought for this. It is an important step and powerful message at the right moment in New York. It’s an important time to humble ourselves, pray for peace and work for healing.”

# # #

County Executive Molinaro, with leaders across the Hudson Valley, had led the call to reopen houses of worship following the tragic death of George Floyd. The full letter is below. 

Subject: Houses of Worship

From: “Molinaro, Marcus” <mmolinaro@dutchessny.gov>
Date: May 31, 2020 at 1:38:30 PM EDT
To: Thomas Scaglione <Thomas.Scaglione@labor.ny.gov>, Michael Hein <michael.hein@otda.ny.gov>, Michael Kopy <Michael.Kopy@exec.ny.gov>, Dylan Miyoshi <Dylan.Miyoshi@exec.ny.gov>
Cc: “Neuhaus, Steven” <SNeuhaus@orangecountygov.com>, MaryEllen Odell <MaryEllen.ODell@putnamcountyny.gov>, “Day, Ed” <dayed@co.rockland.ny.us>, Pat Ryan <prya@co.ulster.ny.us>

Gentlemen,

The protests we are witnessing  over the last several days following the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have caused significant destruction and disruption throughout many major cities in the United States.

We understand the anguish, sadness, and anger so many across our country are feeling; and we acknowledge the urgent need to address injustice wherever it resides in America, including right here in our own communities.

As Governor Cuomo himself said, although we do not condone violence, theft and property destruction, we understand the anger and grief being expressed as a result of this senseless killing.  It could not happen at a worse time as people have been cooped up in their homes as we shelter in place to stem the transmission of a vicious and deadly virus. 

Our churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of faith need to be available for neighbors, leaders and community to come together.  And, the personal interaction that occurs in faith communities can prove invaluable.  We respectfully request the reopening of faith based organizations allowing at least 25% occupancy with adherence to guidelines for social distancing, use of face coverings and with proper cleaning and hygiene at their facilities. 

Embrace these men and women of faith to help address the pent up anger, anguish and tensions.  Our faith leaders can and must be a key part of healing our communities. This can be a powerful sign and send a strong message to the people of America that we are still one nation, indivisible- and that we seek liberty and justice for all. Open the doors to our houses of faith – if only with limited capacity – to help us heal.

Stay safe. Be well.  We are all in this together. 

Marc Molinaro, Dutchess

Steve Neuhaus, Orange 

Pat Ryan, Ulster

Ed Day, Rockland 

Mary Ellen O’Dell, Putnam 

Rob Rolison, Poughkeepsie 

Steve Noble, Kingston

Lee Kyriacou, Beacon

Torrance Harvey, Newburgh

Kelly Decker, Port Jervis

1. COVID-19 Counts:  Active COVID-19 cases continue to decline locally – down to around 1,300 in Dutchess County and 90 in Beacon. 
2. Peaceful Protest:  The City of Beacon respects the peaceful protests arising from the killing of unarmed African-American men and women.  The city is aware of a peaceful protest at Route 9D and Main today beginning at 2:30 PM. City staff have conferred with the event organizers to ensure a peaceful and safe event. Users of Route 9D should expect detours this afternoon.  I have invited our Police Chief to Monday’s City Council meeting to explain current safety practices and training; the city website has details on how to listen in.
3. COVID-19:  Dutchess County expects to move to Phase 2 of re-opening this Tuesday, which will include offices, additional retail stores, and hair salons and barbershops – all with social distancing and cleaning protocols to keep us safe.
4. Public Transit:  Dutchess County buses return to full service starting today, and MetroNorth is increasing service – face coverings are required.
5. Outdoors:  Our city parks remain open with regular monitoring.  Local State park trailheads are reopening, including the trailhead parking lot on Route 9D.  Enjoy the outdoors safely – maintain social distancing, or if not possible wear face coverings.
6. Pride Month:  This past Monday I proclaimed June as Pride Month in Beacon, in recognition of the LGBT+ community and consistent with Congressional recognition. I have donated a Pride flag and it will fly alongside other flags at City Hall.

Thank you.

Update for Friday, June 5, 2020

• Updated guidance has been released on what businesses are considered essential. It can be found HERE.
• The New York State Department of Health (DOH) has released guidance on how to conduct a graduation ceremony. Schools should still consult with their local DOH while planning. The guidance can be found HERE.
• Restaurants have been given further guidance and a Q&A on serving alcohol outside. The New York State Liquor Authority has placed the updated information HERE.
• The state has released guidelines on how professional sports teams and their affiliated training facilities can operate. This does not include gyms or fitness centers open to the public. The guidelines can be found HERE.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.

If you were forwarded this email, but would like to be added to the email list, please let us know by emailing contact@DutchessBNN.com

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that people in New York City protesting the death of George Floyd should assume they have been exposed to the coronavirus. “If you were at a protest I would assume you’re exposed,” Cuomo said. 

The governor also announced the state is opening COVID-19 testing facilities to all people who were at a protest. He urged protesters to act as if they have been exposed by telling those that they live with, and getting tested.

“The protesters themselves could wind up creating a spike,” he said, noting that it won’t be clear for at least two weeks.

At least 52 people died from the coronavirus Wednesday, Cuomo said. The governor stressed that while new cases are still on the decline, that is due to the state’s stay-at-home and social distancing orders up until this point.

Every region statewide has been allowed to begin reopening except for New York City. As of Thursday, the city had met five out of seven metrics to reopen, according to the state’s “regional un-pause dashboard,” but is expected to begin phase one of reopening on Monday, June 8.

Cuomo spoke after New York City woke up from its third night under curfew, which saw dozens of arrests and clashes between police and protesters. The 8 p.m. curfew is aimed at containing violence and looting in the aftermath of Floyd’s death.

The governor said officers have the right to enforce the law against those who are violating curfew and refuse to leave. He said violence at the protests is down overall, but admonished those who have attacked police, as well as looters, saying they should be charged “appropriately” for burglary.

First published on June 4, 2020 / 7:33 AM

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Update for Thursday, June 4, 2020

• Governor Andrew Cuomo today (Thursday) confirmed the Hudson Valley Region is on track to enter Phase 2 on June 9th.
• Restaurants will be allowed to have outdoor dining when our region enters Phase 2. You must still review the summary guidelines, complete the affirmation and Safety Plan prior to reopening. They can be found HERE.
• Additionally, the New York State Liquor Authority has released guidance on how establishments with a license to serve alcoholic beverages can continue to do so outdoors, but still on premise. The guidance will be in effect until July 3rd but can be extended. The guidance can be found HERE.
• The U.S. Senate and U.S. House has passed a bill that makes changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The bill will now be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature. The changes are as follows:
  1. Extends the PPP loan forgiveness period to include costs incurred over 24 weeks after a loan is issued or through Dec. 31, whichever comes first. Businesses that received a loan before the measure is enacted could keep the current eight-week period.
  2. Extends to Dec. 31 from June 30 a period in which loans can be forgiven if businesses restore staffing or salary levels that were previously reduced. The provision would apply to worker and wage reductions made from Feb. 15 through 30 days after enactment of the CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27.
  3. Maintains forgiveness amounts for companies that document their inability to rehire workers employed as of Feb. 15, and their inability to find similarly qualified workers by the end of the year. Under the modified measure, companies would be covered separately if they show that they couldn’t resume business levels from before Feb. 15 because they were following federal requirements for sanitization or social distancing.
  4. Extends the deadline to apply for a PPP loan to Dec. 31 from June 30.
  5. Requires at least 60% of forgiven loan amounts to come from payroll expenses.
  6. Repeals a provision from the CARES Act that barred companies with forgiven PPP loans from deferring their payroll tax payments.
  7. Allows borrowers to defer principal and interest payments on PPP loans until the SBA compensates lenders for any forgiven amounts, instead of the current six-month deferral period. Borrowers that don’t apply for forgiveness would be given at least 10 months after the program expires to start making payments.
  8. Establishes a minimum loan maturity period of five years following an application for loan forgiveness, instead of the current two-year deadline set by the SBA. That provision would apply to PPP loans issued after the measure is enacted, though borrowers and lenders could agree to extend current loans.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.

If you were forwarded this email, but would like to be added to the email list, please let us know by emailing contact@DutchessBNN.comPOWERED BY

For weeks, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, working with local supervisors and mayors, has pushed the state and State Liquor Authority for a series of innovative actions to help restaurants provide alternatives to traditional “dine-in” set-ups, and enable them to take advantage of the important summer dining season. New York State has taken Dutchess County’s suggestions and yesterday authorized restaurants to offer outdoor dining once the region is in Phase II. Phase II is currently anticipated to begin on or about Tuesday, June 9th, pending state authorization.

“This is big news for our local restaurants after weeks of pushing the State to give these local businesses a real chance at survival – particularly during the critical summer dining season. We’re grateful to the State, and particularly Chairman Bradley and the State Liquor Authority for this accommodation.” said County Executive Molinaro. “With Phase II just around the corner for the Mid-Hudson Region, restaurants and local municipalities have the opportunity to get prepped now and be ready to welcome customers next week as soon as we get the Phase II green light.”

Original State guidance said on-premise dining would not be allowed until Phase III. County Executive Molinaro pushed hard to allow the flexibility for local restaurant operators to be able begin sooner, as the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is vital for restaurant operations.

Under the new guidance released yesterday, the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) is allowing outdoor, on-premises service of alcoholic beverages and/or food to resume. It also provides options expand outdoor dining premises as advocated by County Executive Molinaro.

Once a region is in Phase II, restaurants can offer outdoor dining under the following guidance:

• Food and/or beverage must be consumed in outdoor, open-air areas, without a fixed roof (besides a temporary or seasonal awning or cover).
• Food and/or beverage must be consumed while seated at a table, bar, counter, or similar contrivance.
• All tables must be 6 feet apart; any seat at bar, counter, or similar must be 6 feet apart.
• All staff of the licensed business must wear face masks at all times.
• All customers must wear face masks at any time they are not seated.
• Any consumption shall be subject to all other relevant executive orders, guidances promulgated by the Department of Health, and/or any other relevant agency guidance.

Following the suggestions from Dutchess County, the SLA guidance allows for the expansion of premises, under the current establishment’s license, where food and beverages may be consumed. This includes municipal-owned land (e.g. sidewalks, streets, etc.) contiguous to a licensed establishment in coordination with the local municipality.

To expedite this process, County Executive Molinaro will issue an executive order, to go into effect before the County enters Phase II of Re-Opening on June 9th, waiving local regulations and requirements that could cause a potential burden or delay for local establishments to expand outdoor dining space. The executive order will also aid in the local efforts to provide access to municipal-owned land. County Executive Molinaro, during his biweekly conference call with local Mayors & Supervisors, reviewed the new SLA guidance and strongly encouraged local leaders to assist their local restaurant operators in taking advantage of this opportunity.

Complete SLA guidance for outdoor dining can be found here: https://sla.ny.gov/new-york-state-liquor-authority-guidance-outdoor-expansion-licensed-premises-response-covid-19

“Now more than ever before, we need to think creatively and be willing to push beyond normal operating procedures to give our local businesses a real chance at survival. These business owners have sacrificed a great deal, closing down or severely restricting their operations, to keep our community healthy and safe. We must be willing to think creatively to help return them to vitality and bring our Main Streets back to life,” concluded Molinaro.

Dutchess County Government continues to provide residents the most current information on its COVID-19 Community Impact Dashboard, as well as guidance on its website, dutchessny.gov/coronavirus, its Coronavirus hotline, (845) 486-3555, and its Facebook and Twitter accounts.