News & Events

Update for Friday, May 29, 2020

• We are asking each organization to have one individual fill out our newest survey. Your answers will not be shared individually, but the survey results will be shared with our local elected officials as they look to how they can support the business community with new legislation or regulations, and will give us an update on the status of Dutchess County employers. You can find the survey HERE.
• In today’s (Friday) press conference Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state has released guidance on businesses allowed to reopen in Phase 2. Please note: Dutchess County and the Mid-Hudson Region are NOT yet approved to enter phase 2. This guidance has been released to allow businesses to prepare for when our region is approved to enter Phase 2. You can find the guidance HERE. You can also find the Executive Order authorizing Phase 2 businesses to reopen HERE.
• The Governor also announced hair salons and barber shops can reopen in Phase 2, but it can only be by appointment. Barbers and hair dressers are required to get a COVID-19 test at least once every 2 weeks.
• To determine if your business is allowed to reopen yet, use the lookup tool HERE. It is important to note industries that must remain closed in Phase 2 include, but are not limited to:
  • Malls
  • On-premises restaurant or bar service
  • Event venues
  • Gyms
  • Casinos
  • Movie theaters, and
  • Places of public amusement
• Governor Cuomo signed the Executive Order allowing businesses to mandate face coverings to enter their business. That order also extends New York On PAUSE until June 27, with the exceptions of where Phase 1 or further phases are currently being implemented. That order can be found HERE.
• Statewide guidance has been released on how horse racing can be conducted. That guidance can be found HERE.
• OSHA has released guidance on how to socially distance in the workplace. That guidance can be found HERE. Other useful guidance documents from OSHA can be found HERE.
• The Northeast Center for Advancement of Food Safety at the University of Vermont announced an upcoming webinar hosted by Farm Commons titled “Liability for Transmission of COVID-19 to Customers of Farm & Food Businesses.” To register for this webinar, click 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.

The JUNE 2020 Newsletter has been uploaded to the BHA Website. Please click the link below to review:

https://beaconhousingauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/June-2020-NewsLetter-1-1.pdf

Update for Thursday, May 29, 2020

• In Thursday’s press conference Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he would sign an Executive Order to allow private businesses to deny entry to stores and places of business to anyone who doesn’t wear a mask or face covering.
• The governor said the rules posted on the state website for industry guidance to reopen is for the entire state and there would not be different guidelines for urban vs. rural areas.
• Additional information has been released on the New York Forward Loan Fund. A FAQ document can be read HERE. A PowerPoint on the program can be found HERE.
• The pre-application period for the New York Forward Loan Fund has begun. You do not apply directly with lenders like federal loan programs, but complete a pre-application process. That can be found HERE.
• The U.S. House has passed a bill that would expand the covered period to use funds from 8 weeks to 24 weeks. Additionally, the threshold of how much of the loan must be used for payroll expenses would drop from 75% to 60%. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for possible amendments and passage. We will update you on the progress of this legislation.
• Reminder: Updated essential business guidance has been posted by the state and 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

Molinaro Hosts Latest COVID-19 Online Town Hall

First of this week’s two virtual discussions draws thousands of attendees

Poughkeepsie, NY… Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro hosted his most recent online COVID-19 Town Hall and Tele-Town Hall this evening, the latest of more than a dozen such conversations that provide residents with latest news about the local impact of the pandemic and Dutchess County’s response.

Several thousand residents participated by phone for this evening’s event, and many more viewed the event on the County’s Facebook page, as the County Executive gave residents updates and answered their questions. The full online discussion can be viewed on Dutchess County Government’s YouTube page.

Highlights from this evening’s Town Hall discussion included:

• County Executive Molinaro provided an update on Dutchess County’s phased re-opening under Phase 1 of the state’s “New York Forward” process. Having met all seven of the state’s required criteria for “Restarting Dutchess,” the County entered Phase 1 of the process on Tuesday, taking a cautious and prudent approach to restarting the County’s economy. County Executive Molinaro reiterated the industries permitted to reopen under Phase One – construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, agriculture and retail for pick up and delivery – as well as other permissible businesses and activities that are now allowed statewide, per the state’s guidelines. He also reminded residents to be patient and courteous to staff and fellow customers at local businesses, as Dutchess County is re-opening “together,” and business owners are working to safeguard the health and safety of both employees and clientele.
• After County Executive Molinaro advocated for the Governor to provide the County with COVID-19 diagnostic kits to be able to test residents in local nursing homes, testing began earlier this month, and the County has conducted tests on residents at six of the 13 nursing home facilities in Dutchess County with sample collection at six more facilities to be completed by the end of this week. More than 280 residents were most recently tested at four nursing home facilities – The Grand at Pawling, Northern Dutchess Residential Healthcare Facility, Wingate Dutchess and Sapphire Wappingers – with 9 new positive COVID-19 cases identified at The Grand at Pawling (there were no positive results from the testing at the other three facilities). Eight of the individuals identified as COVID-19 positive were asymptomatic and identified because of the County’s testing initiative and are now being cared for in a separate, secure area of the facility. The ninth individual had begun demonstrating symptoms and had already been isolated from the general population.
• While Dutchess County has reached the seven metrics needed to enter Phase 1, County Executive Molinaro stressed the importance of residents continuing to get tested for COVID-19. Continued testing will give DBCH an accurate assessment of COVID-19 cases in the community, and it will also allow Dutchess County to progress to the next phase(s) of re-opening. County Executive Molinaro again emphasized the need for residents to wear cloth face coverings when they go out in public, in accordance with the Governor’s executive order, to help contain the community spread of COVID-19.
• Dutchess County Public Transit will return to running on a full schedule, beginning Saturday, June 6th, County Executive Molinaro said. Social distancing guidelines will be enforced on each bus, with drivers wearing masks and gloves, and riders required to wear face coverings to board; face coverings will be available to riders who do not have one. Dutchess County Public Transit will not charge riders a fare for a brief trial period as full-service returns.
• Following a surge in volunteers who were trained as contact tracers this past weekend, helping Dutchess County meet the state’s requirement to reach Phase 1, County Executive Molinaro lauded the hundreds of residents who came forward to help the County reach its goal. As of Wednesday morning, Dutchess County had more than 500 individuals willing to serve as contact tracers, with more than 280 people having completed the training – well exceeding the state required target of 250 contact tracers. 
• County Executive Molinaro announced DBCH staff is now offering virtual training in Narcan, the life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, in lieu of the Department’s traditional in-person Narcan training at the Stabilization Center. This free training takes place on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 4:30 p.m. via video teleconference. Each session takes just 30-40 minutes to complete, and participants will receive a free Narcan kit upon completion. Registration is required, and residents can register by calling (845) 243-4428 or email llevine@dutchessny.gov.
• The County Executive also paused to remember Dutchess County Legislator Barbara Jeter-Jackson who passed away this weekend at the age of 82. Legislator Jeter-Jackson represented District 10 in the City of Poughkeepsie and was an unflinching advocate for her community. She will be greatly missed.

County Executive Molinaro will host another COVID-19 Town Hall on Friday, May 29th at 2 p.m. As with all previous town hall forums, the May 29th event will be broadcast live on the Dutchess County Government Facebook page, and American Sign Language interpreters will translate the conversation. Past online COVID-19 community conversations are archived on the County’s Coronavirus webpage.

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.

Dutchess County’s Nursing Home
Resident Testing Continues

New Positive Cases Identified

Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County’s initiative to test all nursing home residents continues, with four additional facilities completing resident testing and receiving results. Six additional facilities are in the process of collecting and submitting samples for testing. Results have been encouraging with a minimal number of new COVID-19 cases identified.

The results from the 4 facilities are as follows:

• 50 residents were tested at The Grand at Pawling, with 9 cases of COVID-19 identified.
• 59 residents were tested at Northern Dutchess Residential Healthcare Facility, with no COVID-19 positive results
• 112 residents were tested at Wingate Dutchess, with no COVID-19 positive results
• 60 residents were tested at Sapphire Wappingers Falls, with no COVID-19 positive cases.

Eight of the individuals identified as COVID-19 positive were asymptomatic and identified because of the County’s testing initiative and are now being cared for in separate, secure area of the facility. The other individual had begun demonstrating symptoms and had already been isolated from the general population.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “These latest results from our nursing home resident initiative continue to be encouraging. Local nursing homes are committed to ensuring the health and safety of those in their care and we appreciate their cooperation in this initiative. We will continue to work closely with nursing homes throughout Dutchess to help assist them with personal protection equipment (PPE) as well as support resources for staff as they continue to their dedicated work to keep residents healthy and well cared for.”

The Dutchess County Nursing Home Task Force is currently working with the remaining 7 facilities for sample collection and testing. Dutchess County has coordinated the delivery of diagnostic test kits and has provided necessary PPE to prevent testing cross contamination. Test sample collection is expected to complete at all nursing home facilities by the end of this month.

Separate from the County’s resident testing initiative, nursing home facilities are conducting mandatory staff testing as directed by Governor Cuomo with results reported to the state.

Behavioral & Community Health Commissioner Dr. Anil Vaidian said, “We appreciate the cooperation and partnership from the local nursing home facilities. This resident testing initiative provides an extra layer of protection for these vulnerable individuals by identifying any individuals who may not feel ill or be experiencing any symptoms but are positive for COVID-19. These individuals can then be separated for close monitoring and to protect other residents.”

Nursing home safety has been a top priority for Dutchess County throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Although nursing homes are under the authority and oversight of the New York State Department of Health, County Executive Molinaro established Dutchess County’s Nursing Home Task Force, under the direction of DBCH, to be in  regular contact with nursing home leadership. The Task Force keeps open lines of communications, offers guidance where appropriate, and helps facilities address concerns and emerging issues, convening weekly conference calls with nursing homes. Among the pressing needs has been the provision of PPE supplies to meet heightened New York State Department of Health mandates for nursing homes.  Dutchess County has worked closely with the nursing homes, providing isolation suits and gowns, eye protection, N-95 respirators, surgical masks, as well as hand sanitizer.

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.

Click on link below:

https:///1007/https://www.governor.ny.gov/news

Dutchess County, Mid-Hudson Region
to Begin Re-Opening Process Tuesday

The Governor has given the green light for Dutchess County and the rest of the Mid-Hudson region to begin Phase 1 of the re-opening process on Tuesday, May 26th. County Executive Marc Molinaro has issued the following statement:

“Dutchess County and the Mid-Hudson Region, will officially begin Phase One reopening on Tuesday, May 26th. With the region having successfully met all of the health metrics to reopen and the balance of volunteer contact tracers conducting their online training this weekend, Governor Cuomo has given us the green light for Restarting Dutchess on Tuesday.

We now begin a new chapter. The work we all do going forward will determine our course forward. Businesses will be slowly reopening with strict health and safety plans in place that must be followed. Public health teams will be watching all of the data closely to protect our community health. Individuals must maintain their vigilance in protecting themselves and their families – wear face coverings when going out, maintain social distancing, and wash your hands. Continuing to make smart choices will protect our community.

We are exceptionally grateful to all those who have signed up to volunteer as contact tracers – it is critical the training is completed this weekend to ensure our reopening proceeds on Tuesday. Thank you for making our Tuesday reopening possible!”

(Please note: New York State has NOT authorized the Department of Motor Vehicles to reopen to the public. DMV remains closed under Executive Order through June 6th. No reopening date has yet been established.)

Below are updates and resources for businesses, employers, and employees. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you believe would benefit from this information.

Join the Dutchess Business Notification Network Facebook group.

Update for Thursday, May 21, 2020

• Governor Cuomo has announced the state would extend the sales tax filing deadline to June 22.
• Reminder: In April, the Governor created a State Enforcement Task Force where individuals can file complaints online, or by telephone 24/7. Complaints will be reviewed by the State Task Force and if appropriate will then be referred to local authorities. The guidance states: “Authorities should use the least invasive enforcement approach necessary to achieve compliance.” To view the guidance, click HERE.
  • It is important to note that the penalties could include revoking any State license or certification, and/or up to a year imprisonment.
• The CDC has released additional guidance broken out by industry and community style. The guidance can be found HERE.
• The U.S. Department of Labor has released revised enforcement policies that require businesses to keep records of any employee who tests positive for COVID-19 and is work related. The full guidance can be found HERE.
• In today’s (Thursday) press conference Governor Andrew Cuomo said the contact tracing program will call individuals or businesses who may have come into contact with an individual who tested positive. The caller ID will be listed as “NYS Contact Tracing” and should be answered immediately.
• Governor Cuomo announced summer school would be remote learning this year, and reiterated it was too early to determine if schools can reopen in the fall. He said the state would put out guidance in the beginning of June on precautions schools must take, and the schools would then need to submit a safety plan to the state by July on how they would reopen.
• Additionally, Governor Cuomo said until they have more information on the pediatric inflammatory syndrome he would not recommend sending children to summer camps.

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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