News & Events

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Update for Tuesday, June 9

• Summary guidelines have been released for Phase 3 reopening. Guidelines for food services are HERE. Guidelines for non-hair related personal care services are HERE.
• County Executive Marcus Molinaro signed a new Executive Order that allows flexibility towards land use laws, rules, and regulations to making it easier for restaurants to reopen using outdoor seating. This will be determined by the local town, village, or city, but his Executive Order gives municipal governments the ability to act if they chose to do so.
• In today’s (Tuesday) press conference, Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed that the Hudson Valley Region is officially in Phase 2 of reopening.
• Governor Cuomo clarified in his press conference that a region would only be shut down if there is a spike in infections that can not be managed through contact tracing those who tested positive. This means that even if there is a rise in positive cases, as long as contact tracers are able to determine where and how those individuals were infected, and how to stop future infections from those “hot spots,” the regions can remain in their current phase and will not have to shutdown again.
• The essential business list has been updated by Empire State Development to include additional outdoor, low-risk activities in the recreation section. That list can be found HERE.
• The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board has published a COVID-19 and Workers’ Compensation Q&A document to answer questions about workers’ compensation benefits to employees who contract COVID-19 while on the job. You can find the document HERE.
• 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 HERE to 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.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS

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