- Smunawar
Governor Cuomo Announces a New Cluster Action Initiative
Initiative Developed in Consultation with Leading National Public Health Experts—Dr. Noam Ross of EcoHealth Alliance, Dr. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota and Former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden
New Initiative Maps Clusters by Density of Cases to Address COVID Hot Spots in Brooklyn, Queens, and Broome, Orange and Rockland Counties
Fines for Sponsors of Mass Gatherings Increased to $15,000
New Rules and Restrictions in Effect for Minimum of 14 Days
Governor Cuomo announced a new cluster action initiative to address COVID-19 hot spots in Brooklyn, Queens, and Broome, Orange and Rockland Counties. The initiative includes increased testing, new rules and restrictions for at least the next 14 days:
The plan was developed in consultation with national public health experts including Dr. Noam Ross of EcoHealth Alliance, Dr. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota and former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden.
The initiative is composed of three steps:
Take dramatic action within the cluster.
Take action in the area surrounding the cluster to stop the spread.
Take precautionary action in the outlying communities.
The initiative will currently apply to clusters in the following areas:
Broome County (One Area, Yellow) - Click Here for Map
Brooklyn (One Area, Red, Orange and Yellow) - Click Here for Map
Orange County (One Area, Red and Yellow) - Click Here for Map
Queens (Two Areas, Red, Orange and Yellow) - Click Here and Here for Maps
Rockland County (One Area, Red and Yellow) - Click Here for Map
The initiative will divide clusters and the areas around them into three categories with successively higher restrictions within each one:
Red Zone — Cluster Itself
Houses of Worship: 25 percent capacity,10 people maximum
Mass Gatherings: Prohibited
Businesses: Only essential businesses open
Dining: Takeout only
Schools: Closed, remote only
Orange Zone — Warning Zone
Houses of Worship: 33 percent capacity, 25 people maximum
Mass Gatherings: 10 people maximum, indoor and outdoor
Businesses: Closing high-risk non-essential businesses, such as gyms and personal care
Dining: Outdoor dining only, 4 person maximum per table
Schools: Closed, remote only
Yellow Zone — Precautionary Zone
Houses of Worship: 50 percent capacity
Mass Gatherings: 25 people maximum, indoor and outdoor
Businesses: Open
Dining: Indoor and outdoor dining, 4 person maximum per table
Schools: Open with mandatory weekly testing of students and teachers/staff for in-person settings. The New York State Department of Health will establish a percentage of teachers and students/staff who need to be tested by Friday.
Governor Cuomo also announced that fines for the sponsors of mass gatherings in violation of state public health rules will be increased to $15,000.
Additional Information: