Rockland Ends Coronavirus State Of Emergency

NEW CITY, NY — As the number of COVID-19 cases declines, Rockland County Executive Ed Day will not renew the local State of Emergency that was first declared 15 months ago.

The State of Emergency imposed March 16, 2020 had been renewed every 30 days (as required) but will now expire on Saturday.

“With all of Rockland’s numbers steadily decreasing there is no need for a continued local State of Emergency," Day said. "Last March we acted to protect the health and safety of our friends and neighbors and while these past 15 months have been difficult, we have overcome so much."

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 963 Rockland residents have died of COVID-19.

Recently, active cases of coronavirus have decreased, according to New York state data. The current 7-day average is 7 new cases per day.

Still, the coronavirus isn't gone. Seven people are currently hospitalized in Rockland with COVID-19.

According to New York State vaccination data, 160,045 people in Rockland have received at least one vaccine dose which equates to 64.8 percent of Rockland’s population age 18 and up.

“We have made great progress in our vaccination efforts including helping over 13,000 seniors obtain a vaccine appointment early on in this process," Day said.

However, vaccination rates in Monsey and Spring Valley are among the lowest in New York State — 17.6 and 28.6 percent respectively — and they currently have by far the most cases in the county. They are the only two communities in Rockland where active cases are in the double digits.

Day said the county has been working to address that problem.

"Our Department of Health has hosted pop-up vaccine clinics all around Rockland at houses of worship and community organizations as have other local providers," he said. "They have already or will soon visit some of our larger businesses to vaccinate their employees and increase the ease of access and availability of the vaccine. We are doing everything we can to keep taking these positive steps while protecting residents."

You can schedule an appointment for a 1st dose COVID-19 vaccine from any Rockland County Department of Health clinic. To search for additional COVID-19 vaccination opportunities nearby, click here.

“Our main focus now turns to continuing to support local businesses and residents as we move to fully recover from the pandemic," Day said. "We are working with the County Legislature to plan how best to utilize the $63.18 million in American Rescue Plan federal funding coming to Rockland. But we encourage businesses, landlords and tenants to take advantage of funding that is available right now."

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program for Rockland County is accepting applications from tenants and landlords for rent and utility assistance via the NYS portal. The Program assists households behind on their rent that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability.

The Rockland County Department of Social Services can assist residents with applying Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at: 50 Sanatorium Road, Building L, Pomona, NY, or by calling 845-364-3316.

There is funding available through the NYS COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program for small and micro businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations impacted by the pandemic.

Grants will be for a minimum award of $5,000 and a maximum award of $50,000 and will be calculated based on a New York State business' annual gross receipts for 2019. The grants will be flexible and can be used for a number of different business operating expenses including payroll, rent or mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, PPE or other business expenses incurred between March 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021.

For more information about applying, visit here.

"I have witnessed so many examples of neighbors coming together, regardless of age, gender, race, or religion, to support each other during the pandemic and I hope to see that continue as we continue taking steps towards normalcy," Day said. "Emergency Orders and powers are intended to be temporary; we do not live in an autocracy. It is now time to return to the regular governance of our participatory democracy and I urge the Governor to take the same action on the state level as an emergency no longer exists."

SEE: 9 HV, LI Communities Among NY's Least Vaccinated