Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt has put out the following COVID-19 resource list. Due to the evolving nature of this crisis information is subject to change frequently and will be updated as necessary.
Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt stated, “As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve I will provide the most accurate up-to-date information as possible for my constituents. The resource list has a run down of some of the most asked questions my office has received. I will continue to work with my governmental, non-profit and private sector partners to respond to the ongoing needs of our communities during this trying time.”
Coronavirus Hotlines
New York State Coronavirus Emergency Hotline (24/7): 1-888-364-3065
Orange County Health Dept. Coronavirus Nursing Line (9-5): 845-291-2330
Rockland County Department of Health: 845-364-2512
Local State Run COVID-19 Testing Site
A state COVID-19 testing site opened in Stony Point at Anthony Wayne Recreation Area off of the Palisades Parkway. This site is by appointment only. To make an appointment please call 1-888-364-3065. The testing facility is open 7am-7pm everyday.
If you were tested at the mobile site at Anthony Wayne Recreational Area in Harriman State Park, you will be notified by the NYSDOH – New York State Health Department.
If you had testing performed through another laboratory or private health care provider, check to see if they have a patient portal or phone line where you can obtain your results. Regardless of the testing site, if your test result is positive (detected or presumptive positive), the County Department of Health will be contacting you.
Report Price Gouging
If any local business in participating in price gouging products during this time, it can be reported to:
Orange County Consumer Affairs Office: 845-360-6700
Rockland County Consumer Protection: 845-364-3901
SBA Disaster Loan Assistance for Orange and Rockland Counties
Small businesses in Orange and Rockland counties that have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis are now eligible to apply for a disaster loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA’s loan program provides working capital loans of up to $2 million to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue. Those that receive a loan can use the funds to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, or other bills that cannot be paid because of the coronavirus outbreak. Once a borrower submits an application, approval timelines depend on volume. The typical timeline for approval is 2-3 weeks and disbursement can take up to five business days. Borrowers are assigned individual loan officers for servicing of the loan. Small businesses seeking SBA disaster loan relief are first encouraged to contact a representative from the New York Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Orange County SBDC Center: (845) 802-9150
Rockland County SBDC Center: (845) 356-6065
New York State Paid Sick Leave
Employers with 10 employees or less, must provide any employee who has been quarantined due to COVID-19 unpaid sick leave until the termination of any mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine. During the time of quarantine, the employee will be eligible for paid family leave benefits. Employers with 10 or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million must provide 5 days of paid sick leave and unpaid leave. After those 5 days the employee will be eligible for paid family leave benefits. Employers with between 11 and 99 employees, must provide 5 days of paid sick leave and unpaid leave. After those 5 days, an employee will be eligible for paid family leave benefits. Employers with 100 or more employees and Public Employers must provide 14 days of paid sick leave.
New York State on PAUSE Executive Order
Mortgage Payments/Foreclosures: 90 day suspension
Evictions: 90 day moratorium on all commercial or residential evictions.During the moratorium, eviction notices can still be issued, but will not proceed in court during the ban.
*There will also be a grace period for loan modification, no negative reporting to credit bureaus and no late or online payment fees for the next three months.
Information about freezing New Yorkers’ student debt, medical debt, and other state-referred debt payments for at least 30 days is available here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2020/attorney-general-james-and-governor-Cuomo-temporarily-suspend-state-debt
The Governor’s 10-point NYS on PAUSE plan is as follows:
- All non-essential businesses statewide will be closed,exceptions made for essential services,
To see the official guidance visit the link below: https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
- Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;
- Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced;
- When in public individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others;
- Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;
- Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people;
- Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;
- Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;
- Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and
- Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using isopropyl alcohol wipes.
“Matilda’s Law” includes the following rules for vulnerable populations (New Yorkers Age 70 and Older, People with Compromised Immune Systems and Those With Underlying Illnesses):
- Remain indoors;
- Can go outside for solitary exercise;
- Pre-screen all visitors and aides by taking their temperature and seeing if person is exhibiting other flu-like symptoms;
- Do not visit households with multiple people;
- Wear a mask when in the company of others;
- To the greatest extent possible, everyone in the presence of vulnerable people should wear a mask;
- Always stay at least six feet away from individuals; and
- Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary
State and Federal Taxes
Tax Day has been moved from April 15 to July 15 to give taxpayers and businesses additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. The IRS recommends those that are expecting a refund, despite the delay, to file electronically and sign up for direct deposit to receive their checks.
Seniors in need and Food Insecurity
Seniors that are quarantined inside and need food can call the Orange County Office of the Aging at 845-615-3700 or the Rockland County Office for the Aging at 845-364-2110.
If you or your family are in need of food, please contact the Encounter Church in Rock Tavern at 845-497-0142 to arrange a pickup.
For contact information on local Food Pantries and Emergency Food Programs please visit: https://regionalfoodbank.net/find-nearest-agency/?fbclid=IwAR2hGa2-h9jH4y505h4i09y3rf__V94gQ8y2cQNCuwQiO4oXpxtF1YfA6gk
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Assemblyman Schmitt passed legislation that would allow New York State to waive the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.
Filing a new Unemployment Insurance claim? The day you should file is based on the first letter of your last name. Last names starting with A – F, file on Monday. Last names starting with G – N, file on Tuesday. Last names starting with O – Z, file on Wednesday. If you missed your filing day, file on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Filing later in the week will not delay your payments or affect the date of your claim; all claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed.
Telephone filing hours have been extended: (888) 581-5812
Or online filing https://applications.labor.ny.gov/IndividualReg/…
Health Insurance Coverage
A special enrollment period is open through April 15th for uninsured individuals to ease Coronavirus fears. To apply for free or low-cost coverage amid the crisis, individuals and families can apply for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan through the Marketplace here: https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/individual
Mental Health and Substance Use Help
Access: Supports For Living will be launching a Virtual Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care. Therapy, psychiatry, and peer support services will be available by phone and through telemedicine, 24/7 to adults and children, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
For help, call 888-750-2266, option 2.
The Orange County Crisis Call Center connected people in need of support for mental illness, substance use, developmental disability, sexual assault, or who need information/referrals with trained professionals can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-832-1200.
Text4Teens can be reached via text message for teens in need 24/7 at 845-391-1000
MTA Service
West of Hudson service is operating on a weekend schedule until further notice. For more information on this schedule, please visit: http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/planning/schedules/linkwest.html
Buses are running normal weekday service. Starting Monday, March 23, MTA is initiating a new rear-door boarding policy to keep riders and operators at a safe distance.
*Due to the state’s reduction in workforce, there may be delays in response to FOIL requests. The MTA is also not currently processing online applications for Paratransit Access-a-Ride Service. Call at 877-337-2017 and requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. The MetroCard Balance Protection Program is on hold while staff works remotely.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
All licenses, Non Driver ID’s, and Registrations with an expiration date of March 1, 2020 or later will be extended. All DMV offices are closed and road tests are suspended until further notice. You can still do most transactions online. As the DMV responds to the impact of COVID-19, the processing of some transactions and the provision of some services may be delayed.
New York State Parks
Many state parks, trails, and grounds of historic sites are open for solitary outdoor enjoyment. All entrance fees are waived during the current COVID-19 public health crisis.
To encourage social distancing during this crisis, all public programs and events are suspended until further notice. Many of our indoor visitor facilities, such as nature centers, visitor centers, and historic houses, will be closed to the public until further notice.
If you do plan on visiting, it should be for a solitary nature break, limit outdoor recreation to non-contact and avoid activities where you come in close contact with other people. If you arrive at a park and crowds are forming, choose a different park, a different trail or return another day/time to visit.
- Try to keep at least six (6) feet of distance between you and others.
- Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, and kissing.
- Wash hands often or use a hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs, handrails, and playground equipment
If you are sick and/or experiencing symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus, please postpone your visit and say home.
*Playgrounds, Athletic Courts and Sporting Fields: As of Saturday, March 21, all State Park playgrounds, athletic courts, and sporting fields are closed. This measure is taken for the safety of all visitors and to stop the spread of COVID-19. Park visitors should maintain 6 feet of social distance and visit parks for solitary recreational activities only. Please avoid crowds and refrain from group activity.
*Golf: As of Monday, March 23, all State Park golf courses are closed. All existing tee-time reservations are canceled and new reservations will not be accepted until further notice.
*Lifeguards: At this time, all qualifiers have been postponed through April 4th.
New York State Notaries
New York State notaries are allowed to sign documents using video conferencing through April 18, provided the parties can interact during the call. The order said notaries may need to present valid photo ID during the video conference, and those seeking notarization must physically be in New York State.
Village Elections
Village elections have officially been moved to April 28th.
Utilities
Major utilities have agreed to suspend utility shut-offs, a particular concern for people who may be out of work and cannot afford to pay their bills. Orange & Rockland (O&R) and Rockland Electric Co. have halted all meter reading and installation of smart meters at customers’ homes.
Suspension of State Assessments
Information about the New York State Education Department suspending the administration of the 2020 elementary- and intermediate-level State assessments is available here: http://www.nysed.gov/news/2020/statement-board-regents-chancellor-betty-rosa-and-interim-state-education-commissioner-2
Businesses Offering Support:
Businesses interested in selling crucial medical supplies or products to the State should email:
COVID19supplies@esd.ny.govor call 646-522-8477
Businesses interested in receiving funding to produce medical supplies or products should email: COVID19supplies@esd.ny.gov or call 212-803-3100
