Governor extends executive orders for five regions not ready to open

On May 14, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued an executive order that extends several executive orders previously issued. Specifically, Executive Order 202.31 includes the following provisions:

• Continuation of the order to postpone or cancel all non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations, games, meetings or other social events). We know as families grieve losses and reach milestones like birthdays and graduations, there is a strong desire to gather. Please carefully consider such in-person arrangements to reduce points of contact and potential spread.
• Continuation of reduction of density of the in-person workforce. Non-essential employees who are now working off site will continue to do so until May 28. This may be further extended under subsequent executive orders as deemed appropriate by the Governor. This new date does not alter the continuation of telecommuting pilot programs, which have been approved through July 17^, but does provide employers opportunity to plan how and when employees return to work as regions continue to re-open.  Ulster County and the broader Hudson Valley region has NOT received authorization to re-open as of May 15. We will communicate with the campus once our region and our sector (Education) has been authorized to open. Education is in Part 4, or the last, of the four phases of reopening.
• Half or 5 of the 10 state regions (Mohawk Valley, North Country, Central New York, Southern Tier, and Finger Lakes) are authorized to re-open phase 1 businesses, which include: Construction, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, Retail – (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off); Manufacturing and Wholesale Trade. Those regions and industries authorized to re-open will be required to continue to observe social distancing, hand washing, and sanitizing practices currently recommended. Read more about the five-region reopening via this link.

The full text of Executive Order 202.31 can be accessed online.

Tanhena Pacheco Dunn
Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion
Chief Diversity Officer