Governor Cuomo Issues Executive Order to Combat COVID-19 Spread

Strategic Insights -

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently directed the State Department of Health to investigate a potential COVID-19 exposure at a high school graduation ceremony in Westchester County after an individual who had recently traveled to Florida and attended the ceremony subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, four more individuals who attended the ceremony and had contact with the first positive case have also tested positive. To combat the spread of the virus, Cuomo issued a new executive order making New York employees who voluntarily travel to high-risk states after June 25 ineligible for COVID-19 paid sick leave.

Key Takeaways:

  • The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) directed an investigation into the potential COVID-19 exposure at a high school graduation ceremony in Westchester County after an individual who had recently traveled to Florida and attended the ceremony tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Four more individuals who attended the ceremony and had contact with the first positive case have also tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Governor Cuomo issued an executive order making New York employees who voluntarily travel to high-risk states after June 25 ineligible for COVID-19 paid sick leave.
  • The provision does not apply if the employee travels for work or at the employer's request.
  • The executive order mirrors the law's existing provision that makes New Yorkers ineligible for paid sick leave if they travel to any country designated as having a level two or three travel health notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • The State and County DOH encourage testing for anybody who attended the graduation ceremony or the Field Night event and may have come in contact with an infected individual.
  • The New York State Contact Tracing Program will be reaching out to identified individuals and anyone who attended the ceremony or subsequent gatherings should get tested.
  • All individuals who have tested positive are currently self-isolating.

Statistics:

  • 5 individuals have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 in connection with the high school graduation ceremony.
  • 4 of these individuals had contact with the first positive case and also tested positive.
  • The graduation ceremony was held on June 20 at Chappaqua Train Station in Westchester County.
  • The executive order makes New York employees who travel to high-risk states after June 25 ineligible for COVID-19 paid sick leave.
  • 10% test positivity rate over a seven-day rolling average is considered high-risk.

Sources:

  • "NYSDOH Directs Anyone Who Attended Graduation Ceremony to Quarantine"
  • "Gov. Cuomo Issues New Executive Order Saying New York Employees Who Voluntarily Travel to High-Risk States after June 25 will Not be Eligible for COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave"
  • Executive Order 202.45