Skip to Main Content

​NYS COVID-19 UPDATE: What You Need to Know

May 7, 2020

UPDATED MAY 6 AT 5:30 PM:

  • Nonessential businesses will stay closed through May 15th.
  • All K-12 schools and college facilities statewide will remain closed and continue to provide distance learning, meal delivery and childcare services for the remainder of the school year.
  • Governor Cuomo issued executive orders 202.17 and 202.18 requiring all people in New York to wear masks or face coverings in public, including when taking public or private transportation or riding in for-hire vehicles.
  • New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through June 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
  • Governor Cuomo extended an executive order allowing out-of-state health care professionals to continue practicing in New York State.
  • The results of the state's completed antibody testing study show 12.3 percent of the population have COVID-19 antibodies.
  • A new contest asks New Yorkers to create and share a video explaining why wearing a mask in public is important. Interested applicants can go to wearamask.ny.gov.
  • Schmidt Futures will lead the state's 15-member Blue Ribbon Commission to help integrate NYS systems with advanced technology tools to improve telehealth and broadband access.
  • Governor Cuomo outlined the results of new hospitalization data that was collected in a targeted effort to further reduce the number of new hospitalizations per day.
  • JetBlue is donating 100,000 pairs of round-trip flights for medical personnel to honor their efforts, beginning with 10,000 pairs of tickets for New York medical professionals.
  • Five new drive-through testing facilities have opened and are now accepting patients in Monroe, Erie, Broome, Niagara and Oneida Counties. Appointments can be made by calling 888-364-3065 or online at covid19screening.health.ny.gov.
  • The state is partnering with the Kate Spade New York Foundation and Crisis Text Line to provide a 24/7 emotional support service for frontline health care workers: workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access these emotional support services.
  • New York State-regulated health insurers will be required to waive cost-sharing, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, for in-network mental health services for frontline essential workers during COVID-19.
  • New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
  • Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider.
  • Your local health department is your community contact for COVID-19 concerns.