Documenting New York's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Scroll here for more articles
New York coronavirus coverage Debate in New York New York government responses School reopenings in New York
State government responses Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
Related coronavirus coverage Changes to elections • Federal responses • State responses
Reopening plans by state AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgienHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSenden

Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

• Statewide travel restrictions
• School reopenings and closures
• Statewide mask requirements

Additionally, the article includes:

• Noteworthy coronavirus lawsuits
• Diagnosed or quarantined officials and candidates

Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of New York's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

August 2021

• August 3: On Aug. 3, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced that proof of vaccination will be required for patrons and staff at indoor businesses, such as restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues, starting on Sept. 13.

July 2021

• July 27: On Monday, July 26, New York City announced that starting mid-September all government employees will be required to provide proof of vaccination or be tested weekly for COVID-19.

June 2021

• June 24: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is ending the state’s coronavirus emergency order June 24. Masks are still required statewide for unvaccinated individuals.
• June 21: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the state is starting to close down mass vaccination sites and will move resources to zip codes with low vaccination rates starting June 21.
• June 16: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) ended New York Forward industry-specific requirements (including social distancing requirements, gathering limits, capacity restrictions, and cleaning protocols) for most businesses. Restaurants, bars, gyms, retailers, and personal care service providers are among the businesses that no longer have restrictions. Unvaccinated people still have to wear masks statewide. Requirements did not change for state-defined large-scale event venues, K-12 schools, public transit, nursing homes, or correctional facilities.
• June 15: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced six upstate public transportation providers will offer free seven-day transportation passes for anyone who receives at least one dose of a vaccine between June 15 and July 14. For more information, click here.
• June 8:
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced most coronavirus restrictions will end once 70% of adults 18 and older receive at least one dose of a vaccine. New York Forward guidance will be optional for businesses like restaurants, retailers, and gyms. Masks will still be required for unvaccinated residents, and restrictions will remain in place for large event venues, correctional facilities, and healthcare facilities.
  • Cuomo also announced school districts can choose to end the indoor mask requirement.
• June 1:
  • On Monday, May 31, the midnight curfew on indoor dining facilities and catered events ended for vaccinated and unvaccinated customers and attendees. The curfew for catered events ended May 17 for events where all attendees are fully vaccinated or provide proof of a recent negative test to event organizers, but remained in place for unvaccinated people.
  • On May 28, 2021, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced a two-week extension of the Vax and Scratch program, which offers free scratch-off lottery tickets to first-dose recipients 18 and older. Cuomo said the grand prize would be $5 million.

May 2021

• May 28:
  • On May 27, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that the New York Department of Labor will be issuing guidance that says any necessary recovery time from a COVID-19 vaccination is covered under the state’s Paid Sick Leave Law.
  • Cuomo announced a weeklong extension of the MTA pop-up vaccination and MetroCard incentive program at Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station.
• May 27:
  • On Wednesday, May 26, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced a vaccine incentive program for 12 to 17 year-olds that would enter them into a random drawing to receive a full scholarship to any New York state public college or university. Individuals in the age group receiving a vaccine starting May 27 will be entered into a random drawing, from which 10 winners a week will be selected over five weeks for a total of 50 winners.
  • On May 26, Cuomo announced businesses can open to full capacity for vaccinated individuals. Businesses can also open to 50% vaccinated and 50% unvaccinated individuals, with social distancing required among unvaccinated people.
• May 26:
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced children between the ages of two and five no longer need to wear masks. The state still recommends mask-wearing for children who are able.
  • Cuomo also said schools will reopen statewide for full-time instruction in September, based on current data.
• May 24: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced 10 mass vaccination sites open from May 24-28 will offer free $20 scratch-off lottery tickets to first-dose recipients 18 and older. The grand prize will be $5 million. To see a full list of the vaccination sites, click here.
• May 19:
  • Vaccinated people do not have to wear masks in most indoor public settings starting May 19, aligning the state’s policy with recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
  • Capacity restrictions on most businesses (including restaurants, retailers, and personal care service businesses) are ending May 19. The businesses still have to leave space for social distancing.
  • Percentage capacity restrictions for state-defined large-scale outdoor event venues (like sports stadiums) are ending May 19. Those venues are only limited by six-foot social distancing requirements. Large outdoor event venues can also create sections reserved for fully vaccinated individuals where socially distanced seating between separate parties is not required.
  • Large indoor event venues (like sports stadiums) can operate at 30% capacity starting May 19.
  • On May 19, the indoor social gathering limit is expanding from 100 to 250 people. The indoor residential gathering limit is increasing from 10 to 50 people on the same day. The 25-person outdoor residential gathering limit (for events like cookouts) is replaced by the 500-person outdoor social gathering limit. Commercial social events can exceed the 500-person outdoor and 250-person indoor limits if everyone has proof of vaccination or a recent negative test and social distancing is possible.
• May 17:
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is lifting the midnight curfew on bars and restaurants starting May 17 for outdoor dining areas. The 1 a.m. curfew for catered events is also ending May 17 for events where all attendees are fully vaccinated or provide proof of a recent negative test to event organizers.
  • Gyms in New York City expanded to 50% capacity May 15.
• May 13: On May 12, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced pools and beaches will be able to operate with six-foot social distancing and no percentage capacity limits by Memorial Day. Cuomo also said the state is targeting July 4 to fully reopen pools and beaches without restrictions.
• May 12:
  • Eight pop-up vaccination sites are open at MTA stations from May 12-16. The sites offer Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Locations include Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, and Broadway Junction. For a full list of the sites, click here. Each site can accept up to 300 walk-ups per day and offer free seven-day metro cards, Long Island Railroad tickets, or Metro-North tickets to recipients.
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the state’s and New York City’s public university systems will require vaccinations for Fall 2021 in-person classes. Cuomo encouraged private colleges to require vaccines.
• May 10: On May 10, the outdoor social gathering limit (which applies to organized social events like weddings) is expanding from 200 to 500 people.
• May 7:
  • Barbershops, salons, and other personal care service businesses are allowed to expand from 50% to 75% capacity starting May 7. Indoor dining is also expanding to 75% capacity in New York City on the same day.
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Broadway theaters will fully open at 100% capacity starting Sept. 14.
  • Cuomo also announced percentage capacity restrictions for state-defined large-scale outdoor event venues (like sports stadiums) will end May 19. Those venues will only be limited by six-foot social distancing requirements. Large outdoor event venues will also be able to create sections reserved for fully vaccinated individuals where socially distanced seating between separate parties is not required.
• May 4:
  • Gov Andrew Cuomo (D) announced capacity restrictions on most businesses (including restaurants, retailers, and personal care service businesses) will end May 19. The businesses will still have to leave space for social distancing.
  • Cuomo also announced the state will loosen gathering restrictions. On May 10, the outdoor social gathering limit (which applies to organized social events like weddings) will expand from 200 to 500 people. On May 19, the indoor social gathering limit will expand from 100 to 250 people. The 25-person outdoor residential gathering limit (for events like cookouts) will also be replaced by a 500-person outdoor social gathering limit on May 19. The indoor residential gathering limit will increase from 10 to 50 people on the same day. Commercial social events can exceed the 500-person outdoor and 250-person indoor limits if everyone has proof of vaccination or a recent negative test and social distancing is possible.
  • Large event venues (like sports stadiums) will be able to operate at 30% capacity indoors and 33% capacity outdoors starting May 19. Proof of vaccination or a recent negative test will be required for attendance.
• May 3:
  • Catered events can resume at private residences May 3. Bar seating is also resuming in New York City.
  • Graduation and commencement ceremonies were permitted to resume with capacity restrictions on May 1. To read the state’s full guidance, click here.
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced barbershops, salons, and other personal care service businesses can expand from 50% to 75% capacity starting May 7. Cuomo also said indoor dining will expand to 75% capacity in New York City on May 7. Gyms in the city will expand to 50% capacity May 15.

April 2021

• April 29:
  • All state-run mass vaccination sites are open for walk-in appointments for everyone 16 and older starting April 29. Walk-in appointments are only available for people receiving a first dose. Appointments for second doses will be scheduled automatically for recipients of a first dose.
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) also announced people who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks in public outdoor spaces, effective April 27. Previously, everyone had to wear masks outdoors when social distancing could not be maintained.
  • Cuomo announced he will lift the midnight curfew on bars and restaurants starting May 17 for outdoor dining areas and May 31 for indoor dining facilities. The 1 a.m. curfew for catered events will end May 17 for events where all attendees are fully vaccinated or provide proof of a recent negative test. The curfew will end for all catered events (regardless of vaccination and testing status) May 31. Catered events can also resume at private residences May 3. Bar seating can resume in New York City on the same day.
• April 27:
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the state will ease mitigation restrictions effective May 15. Casinos and gaming facilities will be allowed to expand from 25% to 50% capacity. Office spaces will expand from 50% to 75% capacity. Capacity limits on gyms and fitness centers outside of New York City will expand from 33% to 50%.
  • State-defined large outdoor event venues (like professional sports stadiums and performing arts venues) can expand spectator capacity from 20% to 33% starting May 19.
• April 23:
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) released a list of 16 mass vaccination sites that will begin accepting walk-ins age 60 and older on April 23.
  • Spectators are allowed at horse and auto races at 20% capacity starting April 22.
• April 19: Erie County Supreme Court Justice Timothy Walker rejected a request from 93 restaurants and bars for a permanent injunction exempting them from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) 11 p.m. curfew order. Walker’s decision upheld a state appellate court order issued April 8 requiring the restaurants and bars suing the state to comply with Cuomo’s 11 p.m. curfew order for food and drink establishments. On Feb. 27, Walker issued a preliminary injunction temporarily allowing the bars and restaurants suing the state to stay open past 11 p.m. every night.
• April 15: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announcedspectators will be allowed at horse and auto races at 20% capacity starting April 22.
• April 13:
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced graduation and commencement ceremonies will be permitted with capacity restrictions starting May 1. To read the state’s full guidance, click here.
  • Cuomo also announced the state is allocating 35,000 vaccines for college students. 21,000 of those vaccines are reserved for State University of New York system students, and 14,000 are reserved for students at private institutions.
  • On April 8, a state appellate court issued an order requiring about 90 restaurants and bars suing the state to comply with Cuomo’s 11 p.m. curfew order for food and drink establishments. On Feb. 27, state Supreme Court Justice Timothy Walker issued a preliminary injunction temporarily allowing the 90 bars and restaurants suing the state to stay open past 11 p.m. every night.
• April 6:
  • Residents 16 and older are eligible for a coronavirus vaccine starting April 6.
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) lifted the 11 p.m. curfew for casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, billiard halls, and gyms on April 5. The 11 p.m. curfew for restaurants and bars and the 12 a.m. curfew for catered events remains in effect.
  • On April 3, the first public performance on Broadway occurred since all 41 theaters closed on March 12, 2020. Dancer Savion Glover and actor Nathan Lane performed one at a time before a socially distanced and masked audience of 150.

March 2021

• March 30:
  • On March 29, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced all residents age 30 and older are eligible for vaccination starting March 30. Cuomo also said residents 16 and older will be eligible for vaccination starting April 6. Previously, people 50 and older were eligible.
  • On March 26, Cuomo announced the launch of Excelsior Pass, an app that provides digital proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test. The app is optional for individuals and businesses that require such proof to allow people to enter (like wedding reception, concert, or sports venues). Individuals can download the app now, and businesses will be able to start using it to verify vaccinations and negative tests starting April 2. Individuals can still provide other documents as proof of vaccination.
• March 26:
  • Indoor family entertainment centers and amusement parks will be able to reopen at 25% capacity starting March 26.
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced new nursing home visitation guidelines, effective immediately. The guidance allows visits for all residents at all facilities. Previously, facilities had to be free of COVID-19 cases for 14 days before visits were permitted. To read the full guidance, click here.
• March 23: Residents 50 and older startedregistering for vaccination appointments at 8 a.m. March 23. Previously, the state allowed vaccinations for residents 60 and older.
• March 22:
  • Starting March 22, residential outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people are allowed. Indoor gatherings remain capped at 10 people. Non-residential gatherings of up to 100 people indoors or 200 outdoors are permitted.
  • Starting April 1, large sports venues (that hold more than 1,500 people indoors or 2,500 outdoors) will open at 10% capacity indoors or 20% capacity outdoors. Outdoor performing arts venues can also reopen at 20% capacity.
  • On March 21, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced pharmacies were allowed to start vaccinating individuals 16 and older with comorbidities (including diabetes, cancer, and severe obesity). Previously, pharmacies were required to focus on vaccinating people 60 and older.
• March 19: Restaurants outside of New York City can expand indoor dining from 50% to 75% capacity starting March 19. Restaurants in New York City remain at 35% capacity.
• March 17: Government and nonprofit employees who deal with the public can receive vaccines starting March 17.
• March 11: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced domestic travelers will not have to quarantine when arriving from out-of-state starting April 1. All travelers will still have to fill out the Traveler Health Form before arriving in the state. Currently, individuals must have two negative COVID-19 test results to avoid the 14-day quarantine requirement. The first test must be from within three days before arriving in the state. Travelers must quarantine for three days and then take the second test on the fourth day. If both tests come back negative, the visitors can end quarantine.
• March 10: People age 60 or older are eligible for vaccination starting March 10. Gov. Andrew Cuomo also announced public-facing government and nonprofit employees can receive vaccines starting March 17.
• March 8: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced restaurants outside of New York City can expand indoor dining from 50% to 75% capacity starting March 19. NYC restaurants will remain at 35% capacity.
• March 5:
  • Billiard halls statewide and movie theaters in New York City are reopening March 5. Billiard halls are open at 35% capacity in NYC and 50% capacity in the rest of the state. NYC movie theaters are open at 25% capacity, with a maximum of 50 people per screen.
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced event, arts, and entertainment venues can reopen at 33% capacity (with a limit of 100 people indoors or 200 outdoors) starting April 2.
  • On March 22, residential outdoor gatherings of up to 25 individuals will be allowed. Indoor gatherings will stay capped at 10 people. Non-residential gatherings of up to 100 people indoors or 200 outdoors will be permitted.
• March 2: State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Walker issued a preliminary injunction temporarily allowing about 90 bars and restaurants suing the state to stay open past 11 p.m. every night. The injunction does not apply to all bars and restaurants statewide. Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) previously signed an order extending nightly closing times for restaurants and bars from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., effective Feb. 14. The 10 p.m. order was first implemented Nov. 13. We will have more updates when the court issues a final ruling.

February 2021

• February 26:
  • Nursing homes are able to expand visitation following state guidance starting Feb. 26. Restaurants statewide can expand from 25% to 35% capacity.
  • Twelve community vaccination sites are opening between Feb. 25-27. The sites are expected to vaccinate more than 3,700 people total during the first week.
• February 23:
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced billiard halls statewide and movie theaters in New York City will be allowed to reopen starting March 5. Billiard halls will open at 35% capacity in NYC and 50% capacity in the rest of the state. NYC movie theaters will open at 25% capacity, with a maximum of 50 people per screen.
  • The governor also said the state will release detailed guidance for weddings and other catered events, which are scheduled to resume on March 15. Venues will be restricted to the lesser of 50% capacity or 150 people.
  • State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker released full nursing home visitation guidance and requirements on Feb. 22. Nursing homes will be able to expand visitation under the rules starting Feb. 26.
• February 22: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced nursing home visits can resume in accordance with CMS and CDC guidelines. Cuomo also said restaurants can expand from 25% to 35% capacity starting Feb. 26.
• February 18: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced indoor family entertainment centers and places of amusement will be able to reopen at 25% capacity starting March 26. Cuomo also said outdoor amusement parks can reopen at 33% capacity on April 9.
• February 16:
  • All adults with certain underlying conditions became eligible for vaccination starting Feb. 15. Qualifying conditions include cancer, moderate to severe asthma, obesity, and hypertension.
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) also signed an order extending nightly closing times for businesses like restaurants, bars, gyms, and casinos from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., effective Feb. 14.
• February 9:
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced indoor dining will be able to reopen at 25% capacity in New York City starting Feb.12.
  • Cuomo also announced all adults with certain underlying conditions will be eligible for vaccination starting Feb. 15. Qualifying conditions include cancer, moderate to severe asthma, obesity, and hypertension.
• February 5: On Feb. 3, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the Yankee Stadium mass vaccination site is beginning to administer vaccines to Bronx residents who meet the state’s Phase 1a and 1b eligibility requirements starting Feb. 5. The site will offer 15,000 appointments during the first week.
• February 1: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced if the state’s infection rate stays on its current trajectory, indoor dining in New York City can reopen at 25% capacity starting Feb. 14. Cuomo also said marriage receptions can resume statewide starting March 15.

January 2021

• January 28: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced all Orange Zone restrictions were lifted statewide, and some parts of the state qualified to move out of Yellow Zone classification. Yellow Zones still exist in parts of New York City, Newburgh, and New Windsor.
• January 14: New York Supreme Court Justice Henry Nowak issued a preliminary injunction allowing 90 restaurants that were part of a lawsuit against the indoor dining ban in Orange Zones to resume indoor dining at 50% capacity. The preliminary injunction is effective through Jan. 19, when Nowak will decide whether the injunction should be made permanent. New York Supreme Courts are the highest trial courts in New York State, not New York's courts of last resort.
• January 13: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) expanded Phase 1b of the state’s vaccination plan to include individuals age 65 and older and immunocompromised individuals. Previously, only individuals 75 and older were eligible.
• January 12: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced all individuals in Phase 1b of the state’s vaccine distribution plan could begin scheduling appointments starting Jan. 11. Phase 1b includes individuals age 75 and older, first responders who were not included in Phase 1a, school staff, and correctional and congregate living facility staff and residents. Cuomo said the state is still prioritizing members of Phase 1a (including frontline healthcare workers and nursing home staff and residents), so individuals in Phase 1b should expect appointments up to 14 weeks out from the day they schedule an appointment.
• January 5: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced expanded vaccine availability, effective Jan. 4. All frontline healthcare workers who provide in-person care (regardless of age) are now eligible to receive the vaccine. Home care providers, hospice workers, and nursing home workers who were not previously vaccinated under the CDC’s Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program are also eligible for vaccinations.

December 2020

• December 30: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced updated requirements for individuals with known exposure to the coronavirus. Exposed individuals have to self-quarantine for 10 days if they do not experience any symptoms, down from 14 days under the previous rule.
• December 15: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) ordered indoor dining to close in New York City, effective Dec. 14. Cuomo also announced an expansion of the Yellow Precautionary Zone in Niagara County and added yellow zones in Genesee and Oneida counties.
• December 14: On Dec. 14, the first public doses of Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine were administered to healthcare workers in New York City.
• December 8: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced hospitals will be required to start increasing their hospital bed capacity with Department of Health assistance. The state is aiming to increase bed capacity by 25%. Cuomo also said hospital capacity will help determine future regional closures. Indoor dining will be limited to 25% capacity in some regions as early as Dec. 11 if hospitalizations continue to rise. If the hospitalization rate continues rising in New York City, indoor dining will be ordered to close in the region.
• December 1: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the state is adding hospital capacity to its color-coded zone mitigation system. Cuomo said he will reimplement PAUSE restrictions if hospital capacity is overwhelmed.

November 2020

• November 30: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced new Orange Warning Zones on parts of Staten Island and in areas of Monroe and Onondaga Counties. Cuomo announced new Yellow Precautionary Zones in Upper Manhattan and in parts of Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The changes were effective Nov. 25 for affected businesses and Nov. 26 for public and private schools.
• November 20: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) designated areas in Westchester, Rockland, and Orange counties as yellow mitigation zones. The yellow level limits indoor dining to four customers at a table and religious services to 50% capacity.
• November 19: Public schools in New York City are closed indefinitely, starting Nov. 19.
• November 17: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) issued an order requiring restaurants and bars statewide to close for dine-in service (including outdoor dining) by 10 p.m. every night, starting Nov. 13. The order requires gyms to close at the same time and limits indoor and outdoor gatherings to 10 people.
• November 10: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Brooklyn’s red zone is transitioning to an orange zone, which will allow social gatherings of up to 10 people, religious gatherings of up to 25 people, and limited outdoor dining. Schools are still closed to in-person instruction. Cuomo also announced yellow zone restrictions in parts of Erie, Monroe, and Onondaga counties, limiting social gatherings to 25 people and religious gatherings to 50% capacity.
• November 3: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced schools in the state's red and orange mitigation zones will be able to reopen after all of a school’s students and teachers get tested. Cuomo did not give a timeline for the reopening but said the state will provide the tests.

October 2020

• October 21: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced some schools in New York City’s state-defined hotspots are allowed to reopen. He also said the state will consider loosening restrictions in hotspot zones and drawing the zones on a block-by-block basis instead of using zip codes.
• October 19: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced movie theaters can reopen at 25% capacity everywhere except New York City if a county’s positivity rate is below 2% on a 14-day rolling average, starting Oct. 23. Cuomo also said ski resorts can reopen starting Nov. 6.
• October 7: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the state will impose new restrictions on areas of New York City where coronavirus cases are rising, starting no later than Oct. 9. Mayor Bill De Blasio said enforcement of these restrictions will start on Oct. 8. In areas designated as red zones, state-defined non-essential businesses will have to close, religious gatherings will be limited to 10 people, and restaurants will only be able to offer takeout service.
• October 5: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced schools in some New York City neighborhoods with higher positivity rates must close starting Oct. 6.
• October 1: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced Colorado had been added to the tristate quarantine list. Arizona and Virginia were removed from the list. Murphy and Cuomo also announced the launch of a coronavirus exposure notification app in their states.

September 2020

• September 16: On Sept. 15, Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Puerto Rico had been placed back on the joint travel advisory requiring visitors to the tristate area to self-quarantine for 14 days. California, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, and Ohio were removed from the list.
• September 11: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the state will spend $88.6 million of its CARES Act funding to help childcare providers reopen. Cuomo said an application for the funding will be available to childcare centers later in September and will remain open through Dec. 31.
• September 9:
  • Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced New York City restaurants will be able to reopen at 25% capacity starting Sept. 30.
  • On Sept. 8, Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia had been added to the joint travel advisory list requiring visitors from those states to quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in the tristate area. The governors removed Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands from the list.
• September 3: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced malls in New York City and casinos statewide will be able to reopen starting Sept. 9.
• September 2: On Sept. 1, Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Alaska and Montana had been placed back on the joint travel advisory list, after having been removed Aug. 25. The travel advisory requires travelers entering the tristate area to self-quarantine for 14 days.
• September 1: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced new guidelines for agritourism businesses and activities like corn mazes, hayrides, and pick-your-own produce farms.

August 2020

• August 26: On Aug. 25, Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Maryland, and Montana had been removed from the joint travel list requiring visitors to the tristate area to self-quarantine for 14 days. Guam was added to the list.
• August 25: Gyms and state-defined low-risk cultural institutions (like museums and aquariums) began reopening on Aug. 24.
• August 24: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced high school sports classified as lower-risk (including soccer, tennis, field hockey, and swimming) will be able to resume practice and play starting on Sept. 21. Teams will only be allowed to travel to play against schools in neighboring regions and counties. School sports the state considers higher-risk (including football, wrestling, and ice hockey) can begin practices at the same time as lower-risk sports but cannot resume play.
• August 18: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on Aug. 18 that Delaware and Alaska had been added to the tristate quarantine list. Washington was removed from the list.
• August 17: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced gyms in the state can reopen starting Aug. 24.
• August 14: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that low-risk cultural activities, including museums and aquariums, could reopen beginning Aug. 24. Such locations may reopen at 25% capacity with timed ticketing, staggered entry, and mandatory face coverings.
• August 11: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Hawaii, South Dakota, and the Virgin Islands had been added to the tristate quarantine list. The governors removed Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island.
• August 7: On Aug. 7, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced schools will reopen to in-person instruction at the start of the school year. Students will be required to wear masks. Parents will retain the option to keep their children home.

July 2020

• July 22: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on July 21 that 10 additional states had been added to their joint travel advisory. Travelers from Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia, and Washington will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Minnesota was removed from the list, bringing the number of states on it to 31.
• July 20: New York City became the final region in the state to enter the fourth phase of reopening. In Phase IV, outdoor entertainment that the state classifies as low-risk can open at 33% capacity, outdoor sports can resume without spectators, and media production activities are permitted. New York City’s Phase IV does not allow increased indoor activity or allow malls and museums to reopen.
• July 13: The State Department of Education released a framework for school reopening plans. Each school district will be required to submit a district-specific reopening plan based on the template between July 17 and July 31. Formal guidance for reopening is expected later this week.
• July 8: Long Island is entering Phase IV of reopening on July 8.
• July 7: Govs. Lamont, Murphy, and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on July 7 that visitors entering their states from Delaware, Kansas, and Oklahoma will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. The three governors announced the joint travel advisory on June 24. The initial list included eight states. It now applies to 19 states.
• July 2: Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced New York City would not be allowed to reopen indoor dining as part of Phase 3, which is scheduled to begin on July 6 in the city. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced public schools would begin reopening in September.
• July 1: Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the Capital Region of the state is entering Phase 4 of reopening starting July 1.

June 2020

• June 30:
  • Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced June 30 that visitors arriving in their states from eight additional states will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. The three governors announced the joint travel advisory on June 24. The initial list included eight states. The new states include California, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, and Tennessee.
  • The Western New York region is moving to Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan on June 30.
• June 24:
  • The Long Island region is moving into Phase Three of Gov. Cuomo’s reopening plan on June 24. The Mid-Hudson Valley region moved into the third phase on June 23. Phase Three permits indoor dining at 50% capacity and indoor gatherings of up to 25 people.
  • Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on June 24 that travelers arriving in their states from states with a high infection rate must quarantine for 14 days. The infection rate is based on a seven-day rolling average of the number of infections per 100,000 residents. As of June 24, the states that meet that threshold are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
• June 18: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced on June 18 that New York City is expected to move into Phase 2 of his reopening plan on June 22. Cuomo said a final decision would be announced on June 19. Phase 2 allows outdoor dining at bars and restaurants (50% capacity), the opening of hair salons and barbershops (50% capacity), and office-based jobs (50% capacity). New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio said on June 18 that he felt the city was ready to move into Phase 2 on June 22. New York City playgrounds will also be able to reopen on June 22, if the CIty moves into Phase 2.
• June 17, 2020: The Capital region became the seventh of 10 regions to enter Phase 3 of the state's reopening plan. Under Phase 3, in-restaurant dining and personal care services such as tattoo parlors may resume, both at 50% capacity. Gatherings of up to 25 are allowed.
• June 12: Five regions—North County, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, and Central New York—moved into Phase III of the state's reopening plan on June 12. The following businesses and activities are permitted to resume: in-restaurant dining (50% capacity), and personal care services such as tattoo parlors (50% capacity).
• June 10: The Long Island region entered Phase II of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) reopening plan “NY Forward” on June 10. It is the ninth out of 10 regions to enter that phase.
• June 4: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced on June 3 that outdoor dining could resume at restaurants in Phase 2 of Cuomo’s reopening plan, “NY Forward.” There are currently seven regions in that phase. Cuomo also announced that the Long Island region would enter Phase 2 on Wednesday, June 10. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on June 4 that the City is hoping to open outdoor dining in July when New York City enters Phase 2 of reopening. New York City is expected to move into Phase 1 on June 8.
• June 3: On June 2, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that summer day camps can reopen on June 29. The Capital region entered Phase 2 of Cuomo’s reopening plan, “NY Forward,” on June 3. It is the seventh region to move into that phase, out of 10 regions in the state. Under Phase 2, the following businesses and activities can resume: offices (50% occupancy), real estate, in-store retail (50% occupancy), vehicle sales, leases and rentals, retail rental, repair and cleaning, commercial building management (50% occupancy), and salons and barbershops (50% occupancy).
• June 1: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced on June 1 that New York City was on track to begin reopening on June 8. He also announced that two regions, Western New York and Capital, are expected to move into Phase 2 of his reopening plan in the coming days. On May 31, Cuomo announced that dentists could reopen on June 1.

May 2020

• May 29: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) extended New York’s stay-at-home order until June 27. It will only apply to regions that have not met the state’s criteria to enter Phase One of reopening. New York City is the only region that has not advanced to the first phase, but Cuomo announced the city was on track to begin reopening starting June 8. The Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, North Country, and Central New York regions were all cleared to enter Phase Two of reopening on May 29.
• May 26: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that the Mid-Hudson region would begin Phase One of the state’s reopening plan starting May 26 and Long Island would begin the first phase on May 27. Cuomo also said campgrounds, sports teams’ facilities, and veterinary clinics would be able to start reopening. New York City is the only region in the state that has not started reopening.
• May 21: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that religious groups of up to 10 are permitted starting May 21. Memorial Day celebrations with the same group restrictions are also permitted. Cuomo also announced that New York schools would not open for in-person summer instruction. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the City was on track to begin its phased reopening, including opening retail stores for curbside pick up and resuming construction, during the first half of June.
• May 15: In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced on May 14 that the state’s stay-at-home order was extended through May 28 for regions, including New York City, that do not meet the state’s reopening criteria. However, five regions that met the criteria could proceed with reopenings of some nonessential businesses beginning May 15, including construction, manufacturing and retail for curbside pick up only. Those regions are the Finger Lakes, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, North County, and the Southern Tier. Cuomo said in a tweet that as soon as a region hits its benchmarks for reopening, they can do so before May 28.
• May 11: On Monday, May 11, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that some parts of the state could start to reopen in phases beginning on May 15. Three regions meet the criteria for reopening—Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and Mohawk Valley. In phase one, construction, manufacturing and wholesale supply chains, agriculture, forestry, and fishing may resume. Retail establishments can open for curbside pickup.
• May 5: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) released “Regional Guidelines for Re-Opening,” which laid out a four-phase plan for reopening the state following the coronavirus pandemic. There is no specific start date. New York is a Democratic trifecta.

April 2020

• April 29: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the creation of the New York Forward Re-Opening Advisory Board. Former Cuomo aides Steve Cohen and Bill Mulrow will lead the group of more than 100 business, community, and civic leaders from the state. A full list of board members is available here.
• April 27: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced a plan for reopening the state involving different schedules for different regions. The plan would be triggered by a 14-day decline in hospitalization rate and involve two phases, between which there would be a two-week waiting period to monitor effects of phase one. New York is a Democratic trifecta.

Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at [email protected].

The New York Department of Health released a distribution plan on October 16, 2020.

Quick facts

New York state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?	Vaccine Distribution and Implementation Task Force
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state?	N/A
Where can I find the distribution plan?	New York State's COVID-19 Vaccination Program
When was the plan first released to the public?	October 16, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated?	October 16, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions?	What You Need to Know
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus vaccine in my state?	COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
Where is the state health department's homepage?	New York Department of Health
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution?	The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in New York - AARP

Timeline

• June 18, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the state was starting to close down mass vaccination sites and would move resources to zip codes with low vaccination rates starting June 21.
• June 14, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced six upstate public transportation providers would offer free seven-day transportation passes for anyone who received at least one dose of a vaccine between June 15 and July 14. For more information, click here.
• May 26, 2021: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced a vaccine incentive program for 12 to 17 year-olds that would enter them into a random drawing to receive a full scholarship to any New York state public college or university. Starting May 27, 10 winners a week would be selected over five weeks for a total of 50 winners.
• May 12, 2021: Eight pop-up vaccination sites offering Johnson & Johnson vaccines opened at MTA stations. The sites were scheduled to be open from May 12-16. Locations included Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, and Broadway Junction. For a full list of the sites, click here. Each site had capacity to accept up to 300 walk-ups per day and offered free seven-day metro cards, Long Island Railroad tickets, or Metro-North tickets to recipients.
• April 29, 2021: All New York state-run mass vaccination sites opened for walk-in appointments for everyone 16 and older. The walk-in appointments only became available for people receiving a first dose. Appointments for second doses still had to be scheduled automatically for recipients of a first dose.
• April 23, 2021: In New York, 16 mass vaccination sites started accepting walk-ins age 60 and older.
• April 6, 2021: All New York residents 16 and older became eligible for a coronavirus vaccine.
• March 30, 2021: All New York residents age 30 and older became eligible for vaccination. Previously, people 50 and older were eligible.
• March 23, 2021: New York residents 50 and older started registering for vaccination appointments at 8 a.m. Previously, the state allowed vaccinations for residents 60 and older.
• March 22, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced pharmacies were allowed to start vaccinating individuals 16 and older with comorbidities (including diabetes, cancer, and severe obesity). Previously, pharmacies were required to focus on vaccinating people 60 and older.
• March 17, 2021: New York government and nonprofit employees who dealt with the public became eligible for vaccines.
• March 10, 2021: New York residents age 60 or older became eligible for vaccination. Gov. Andrew Cuomo also announced public-facing government and nonprofit employees could receive vaccines starting March 17.
• February 15, 2021: In New York, all adults with certain underlying conditions became eligible for vaccination. Qualifying conditions included cancer, moderate to severe asthma, obesity, and hypertension.
• February 5, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced all adults with certain underlying conditions would be eligible for vaccination starting Feb. 15. Qualifying conditions included cancer, moderate to severe asthma, obesity, and hypertension.
• February 3, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the Yankee Stadium mass vaccination site was beginning to administer vaccines to Bronx residents who met the state’s Phase 1a and 1b eligibility requirements.
• January 12, 2021: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) expanded Phase 1b of the state’s vaccination plan to include individuals age 65 and older and immunocompromised individuals. Previously, only individuals 75 and older were eligible.
• January 11, 2021: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced all individuals in Phase 1b of the state’s vaccine distribution plan could begin scheduling appointments starting Jan. 11. Phase 1b was scheduled to include individuals age 75 and older, first responders who were not included in Phase 1a, school staff, and correctional and congregate living facility staff and residents. Cuomo said the state was still prioritizing members of Phase 1a (including frontline healthcare workers and nursing home staff and residents), so individuals in Phase 1b should expect appointments up to 14 weeks out from the day they scheduled an appointment.
• January 4, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced expanded vaccine availability, effective Jan. 4. All frontline healthcare workers who provided in-person care (regardless of age) became eligible to receive the vaccine. Home care providers, hospice workers, and nursing home workers who had not previously been vaccinated under the CDC’s Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program also became eligible for vaccinations.
• December 14, 2020: The first public doses of Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine in the U.S. were administered to healthcare workers in New York City.

School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in New York to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in New York were closed to in-person instruction on March 18, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. To notify us of when schools were allowed to reopen statewide, email us. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

• June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in New York .
• January 4, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced schools could remain open in communities with 9% or greater positivity rates if positivity among students and school staff was lower than positivity in the surrounding community. Previously, the state had required schools to close in communities where the positivity rate was 9% or greater.
• October 30, 2020: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced schools in the state's red and orange mitigation zones could reopen after all of a school’s students and teachers got tested. Cuomo did not give a timeline for the reopening but said the state would provide the tests.
• Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported about half of schools were in-person in New York .
• August 7, 2020: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced schools would reopen to in-person instruction at the start of the school year. Students would be required to wear masks. Parents would retain the option to keep their children home.
• July 13, 2020: The State Department of Education released a framework for school reopening plans. Each school district would be required to submit a district-specific reopening plan based on the template between July 17 and July 31. Formal guidance for reopening was expected later that week.

• May 1, 2020: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that schools would remain closed for in-person instruction for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through May 15.
• April 16, 2020: Cuomo extended the state's stay-at-home order through May 15, extending the statewide school closure.
• April 6, 2020: Cuomo announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end April 15, was extended through April 29.
• March 27, 2020: Cuomo announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end April 1, was extended through April 15.
• March 16, 2020: Cuomo announced that schools across the state would close for at least two weeks beginning March 18.

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Does New York have restrictions on travel? No. As of April 1, 2021, domestic travelers to New York are no longer required to quarantine for 10 days or present a negative COVID-19 test. All travelers are required to fill out an online Traveler Health Form. The New York State Department of Health recommends that travelers who aren't fully vaccinated self-quarantine.

More information can be here.

Timeline

• April 10, 2021: The New York State Department of Health issued an updated travel advisory that removes the testing and quarantine requirements for asymptomatic international travelers. However, the advisory recommends all unvaccinated travelers follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance to quarantine for at least seven days upon arrival. The advisory recommends that fully vaccinated international travelers get tested three to five days after arrival in New York, and recommends that unvaccinated international travelers—or those who haven't recovered from COVID-19 within the last three months—consider self-quarantining while waiting for a test result. Additionally, the advisory includes new requirements for healthcare workers. Domestic and international healthcare workers who work in nursing homes or assisted living residences must not return to work for 14 days upon arrival. Healthcare workers in other settings must not return to work for 10 days after international travel, unless they receive a negative COVID-19 test within three to five days of arrival, in which case the furlough can end after seven days.
• April 1, 2021: Travelers to New York are no longer required to self-quarantine upon arrival or display a negative COVID-19 test. The New York State Department of Health recommends all travelers self-quarantine. Travelers are still required to fill out an online Traveler Health Form.
• March 11, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced domestic travelers will not have to quarantine when arriving from out-of-state starting April 1. All travelers will still have to fill out the Traveler Health Form before arriving in the state.
• March 3, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that domestic travelers would no longer need to quarantine upon arrival in the state if they have been fully vaccinated within the last 90 days.
• October 31, 2020: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced a new testing requirement for incoming travelers. The policy, which replaces the joint quarantine list previously maintained alongside Connecticut and New Jersey, requires visitors and returning residents to take a COVID-19 within three days of arriving in New York. Visitors will need to quarantine for three days, and take another test on the fourth day. If both tests come back negative, the quarantine can end. The policy was scheduled to take effect on Wednesday, November 4 and does not apply to travelers from states that border New York.
• October 20, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Arizona and Maryland had been added to the tristate self-quarantine list. The governors advised against traveling between their three states, but agreed not to mandate self-quarantines for travel between Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.
• October 6, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that New Mexico had been added to the tristate quarantine list.
• September 22, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island, and Wyoming had been added to the tristate quarantine list.
• September 15, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Puerto Rico had been re-added to the joint travel advisory, while California, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, and Ohio had been removed.
• September 8, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia had been added to the joint travel advisory list. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were removed from the list.
• August 25, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on Aug. 25 that Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Maryland, and Montana had been removed from the joint travel advisory list. The territory of Guam was added to the list.
• August 18, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on Aug. 18 that Delaware and Alaska had been added to the tristate quarantine list. Washington was removed from the list.
• August 11: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Hawaii, South Dakota, and the Virgin Islands had been added to the tristate quarantine list. The governors removed Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island.
• August 4, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Rhode Island had been added to the tristate quarantine list, requiring visitors from that state to quarantine for 14 days upon entering New Jersey, Connecticut, or New York. Delaware and Washington D.C. were removed from the list.
• July 28, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Illinois, Kentucky Minnesota, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico had been added to the joint travel advisory, bringing the total number of states to 37.
• July 21, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that 10 additional states had been added to the joint travel advisory. Travelers from Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia, and Washington will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Minnesota was removed from the list, bringing the total to 31.
• July 14, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that New Mexico, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota had been added to the joint travel advisory originally announced June 24. Travelers from those states will need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in the tristate area. Delaware, which was added to the list July 7, has been removed. The list now includes 22 states. Gov. Cuomo also announced that visitors to New York from those 22 states will need to fill out a contact form with contact information or face a $10,000 fine. Gov. Lamont said Connecticut would join New York in requiring visitors to fill out a form.
• July 7, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that Delaware, Kansas, and Oklahoma had been added to the joint travel advisory originally announced June 24. Visitors from those states will need to quarantine for 14 days upon entering Connecticut, New York, or New Jersey. The full list of states includes Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah
• June 30, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced that eight more states had been added to a joint travel advisory requiring out-of-state visitors to self-quarantine for 14 days. The governors announced the travel advisory June 24 and originally included Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. The list was expanded to include California, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and Tennessee.
• June 24, 2020: Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced on June 24 that travelers arriving in their states from states with a high infection rate must quarantine for 14 days. The infection rate is based on a seven-day rolling average of the number of infections per 100,000 residents. As of June 24, the states that meet that threshold are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.

Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

On April 15, 2020, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed an executive order requiring individuals to wear face coverings in public. On April 27, 2021, Cuomo announced people who were fully vaccinated did not have to wear masks in public outdoor spaces. The New York City Health Department released guidance on face coverings.

Starting May 19, vaccinated people did not have to wear masks in most indoor public settings, aligning the state’s policy with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.

On Sept. 15, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced mask requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in several settings, such as state-regulated child care facilities and congregate facilities, such as shelter programs for homeless youth.

On Dec. 10, Hochul announced a new statewide mask requirement would take effect starting Dec. 13. Masks were required regardless of vaccination status at indoor public settings, unless the business or venue required proof of vaccination. On Dec. 31, Hochul extended the mask requirement through Feb. 1, 2022.

On Jan. 24, 2022, Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker issued an injunction pausing enforcement of the state's mask requirement, ruling that Hochul did not have authority to enforce it. On Jan. 25, Justice Robert J. Miller of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division 2nd Department granted a stay against the injunction. On Jan. 28, Hochul extended the indoor mask requirement through Feb. 10.

On Feb. 9, Hochul announced the statewide mask requirement would end, effective Feb. 10.

• Click here to expand the state's original mask order guidance

Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

National Rifle Association of America v. Cuomo: On August 14, 2020, Judge Mae A. D'Agostino, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Northern New York, dismissed a lawsuit brought by the National Rifle Association (NRA), which challenged Gov. Andrew Cuomo's (D) closure of gun stores across New York. In its complaint, the NRA challenged Executive Order 202.8, which designated gun stores as non-essential businesses and, as such, temporarily closed them to slow the spread of COVID-19. The NRA argued that the closures made it effectively impossible to legally purchase a gun in the state, an alleged violation of the Second Amendment. The organization further argued that the closure order was unconstitutionally vague, an alleged violation of the right to due process. D'Agostino dismissed the suit, ruling that, absent direct organizational harm as a result of the closures, the NRA lacked standing because "an association cannot bring an action as the representative of its members." She did not comment on the merits of the NRA's arguments. The NRA responded to the decision with a statement: "Although we respectfully disagree that the NRA lacked standing to pursue this case — then or now — we were pleased the action brought attention to an abuse of power against gun retailers." Cuomo adviser Rich Azzopardi said, "It’s no surprise that yet another frivolous suit by the NRA has been laughed out of court."

Yang v. New York State Board of Elections: On May 5, 2020, Judge Analisa Torres, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, ordered the New York State Board of Elections to reinstate the Democratic presidential preference primary, which the board had previously canceled, on June 23, 2020. The order came as the result of a lawsuit filed on April 28, 2020, by Andrew Yang, a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, and several candidates for New York's delegation to the Democratic National Convention. In their formal complaint, the plaintiffs alleged that "this unprecedented and unwarranted move infringes the rights of Plaintiffs and all New York State Democratic Party voters ... as it fundamentally denies them the right to choose our next candidate for the office of President of the United States."

In her ruling, Torres sided with the plaintiffs, writing, "[T]he removal of presidential candidates from the primary ballot not only deprived those candidates of the chance to garner votes for the Democratic Party's nomination, but also deprived their pledged delegates of the opportunity to run for a position where they could influence the party platform, vote on party governance issues, pressure the eventual nominee on matters of personnel or policy, and react to unexpected developments at the Convention." The full text of the order can be accessed here.

Page v. Cuomo: On August 11, 2020, Judge David Hurd, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Northern New York, dismissed a lawsuit challenging Governor Andrew Cuomo’s (D) executive order requiring travelers entering New York from states with high COVID-19 infection rates to self-quarantine. Arizona-resident Cynthia Page brought the suit after she was forced to cancel a planned trip to Brooklyn, New York, because she could not fulfill the quarantine requirements. In her complaint, Page argued that the mandatory quarantine violated her Fourteenth Amendment rights to equal protection and due process. Page also argued that the quarantine requirement violated the Privileges and Immunities Clause, which guarantees legal protections related to national citizenship, such as the right to interstate travel. Hurd rejected these arguments: "The state is not drawing a distinction between residents and non-residents but between individuals with and without a mathematically heightened risk of spreading COVID–19." He added that, even if the order "infringed her liberty interest in the right to travel, the COVID–19 pandemic is precisely the scenario for which emergency action would be expected." Page filed a notice of appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

The Bronx Defenders v. Office of Court Administration of the State of New York : On July 28, 2020, Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block the resumption of in-person criminal proceedings in New York City, which were suspended in March as a COVID-19 safety precaution. In their complaint, the plaintiffs argued that the Office of Court Administration’s actions "endanger the lives of thousands of New Yorkers by perpetuating the spread of this virus and burden the constitutional rights to access the courts." The plaintiffs also argued that the reinstatement of in-person criminal proceedings violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Carter disagreed, writing in his ruling that the relief requested by the plaintiffs would require an impermissible "intrusion into state court operations and proceedings," which would disrupt "[t]he special delicacy of the adjustment to be preserved between federal equitable power and state administration of its own law." In response to the ruling, a spokesperson for the Office of Court Administration issued a statement to the press: "We are pleased with Judge Carter's decision allowing us to continue deliberate, measured and careful resumption of in-person appearances." The plaintiffs said the following in a post-ruling statement: "[We] are enormously disappointed that the federal court relied on a technicality to allow the Office of Court Administration" to place New Yorkers in "unnecessary risk during a pandemic."

New York v. U.S. Department of Labor: On August 3, 2020, as the result of a challenge by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), Judge J. Paul Oetken of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York vacated portions of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule implementing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA mandated that certain employers provide paid emergency sick and/or family leave to employees who were unable to work due to mandated COVID-19 quarantine or symptoms. The mandate also extended to parents and guardians in the event of school or childcare unavailability. In its complaint, New York argued that the DOL violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because the final rule restricted eligibility under the FFCRA in a manner that was "not authorized by, and conflict[ed] with, the FFCRA" and exceeded the statutory authority provided by the FFCRA by imposing additional burdens on employees seeking to claim its benefits. In so doing, New York argued, the DOL was responsible for denying "vital financial support and exposing millions of American workers and their communities to further transmission of infectious disease in the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic." Oetken vacated the final rule's work-availability requirement, which made employees ineligible for leave under the FFCRA if their employers had no work for them because of COVID-related slowdowns or temporary closures. Oetken also struck down the DOL's definition of a non-eligible health care provider, the requirement that an employee secure employer consent for intermittent leave, and the requirement that documentation be provided before taking leave. The remainder of the final rule was allowed to stand.

New York Independent Venue Association v. Bradley: On August 25, 2020, a group of businesses filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, challenging state restrictions that barred venues from hosting ticketed live music events and other events with cover charges. Venues were also barred from advertising live entertainment. The plaintiffs argued that the New York Liquor Authority rule effecting these restrictions "is not just unworkable, it is unconstitutional." The plaintiffs contended that the rule violated the constitutional guarantees of free speech, procedural and substantive due process, and state agency rulemaking procedures. Commenting on the suit, Justin Kantor, the New York Independent Venue Association co-chair, said, "These venues are doing everything possible to safely reopen and offer work to both artists and employees, even if it is at a financial loss, only to have New York state impose knee-jerk regulations that have now added unnecessary and unlawful restraints to our already devastated industry." As of August 31, 2020, the New York Liquor Authority had not commented publicly on the suit, which was assigned to Judge Gregory Howard Woods, an appointee of President Barack Obama (D).

The Cloister East, Inc. v. New York State Liquor Authority: On September 11, 2020, Judge Arthur F. Engoron, of the New York County Supreme Court, granted a temporary restraining order against the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA), allowing an East Village cafe to reopen. The Cloister Cafe was shut down in August 2020 after authorities alleged it had hosted secretive late-night parties in violation of COVID-19 restrictions. The cafe challenged the shut-down in federal court, but Judge Lewis Kaplan, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, denied the cafe a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. The cafe then initiated an Article 78 proceeding in state court. Article 78 proceedings are used to appeal the decision of a New York state or local agency to state court. In its complaint, the cafe argued that SLA had deprived it of its liquor license in violation of state law and its constitutional rights. The cafe alleged that the license revocation was done without notice, "or any pre-suspension opportunity to be heard," in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of procedural due process.

In his order, Engoron did not specify reasons for granting the temporary restraining order. He did note that "any credible evidence of a significant future infraction [on the part of the cafe] will result in immediate reinstatement of the suspension." Robert Garson, an attorney for the cafe, welcomed the ruling, saying it "may provide a light at the end of the tunnel for all of those restaurant and beverage workers who have also had their licenses summarily and unconstitutionally stripped from them." In a statement to the press, the SLA said it "will continue to vigorously defend the state’s actions and remain laser focused on protecting New Yorkers during this pandemic." A full hearing on the merits was scheduled for October 5, 2020.

Turturro Law, P.C. v. Cuomo: On October 8, 2020, a Brooklyn law firm closed by the state after an increase in Covid-19 infection rates near its office sued Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) and New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio (D) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. In its complaint, the firm, located in an area deemed a "red-zone" under the state’s "cluster action initiative," argued that there was "no scientific or other rational basis" for classifying certain parts of the state in this manner. The firm "seeks recovery for deprivations sustained by Plaintiff, and for violations committed by Defendants while acting under color of state law against Plaintiff’s rights and privileges guaranteed by" the Dormant Commerce Clause, Contracts Clause, Due Process Clause, Equal Protection Clause, and Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution. In a statement, Richard Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, said, "We’re focused on breaking this cluster and saving lives. Being unhappy is better than being sick or dead."

Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo: On October 16, 2020, Judge Nicholas Garaufis, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, declined to block Governor Andrew Cuomo’s (D) Covid-19 gathering-size restrictions as applied to places of worship. The lawsuit stemmed from a policy that imposed capacity restrictions on nonessential businesses and gatherings on a regional basis: in higher-risk "red" and "orange zones," in-person gatherings were limited to the lesser of 10 people or 25 percent of capacity and the lesser of 25 people or 33 percent of capacity, respectively. In its complaint, the Diocese argued that Cuomo’s order "plainly and unconstitutionally targets religious practice." In his ruling, Garaufis, a Bill Clinton (D) appointee, found that the "public interest analysis, and accordingly the balance of the equities, cuts in favor of the State, which is trying to contain a deadly and highly contagious disease." In a statement, the Diocese said it "is extremely disappointed" by the ruling and would "continue to advocate for places of worship to be classified as essential, for there is nothing more necessary today than a community of believers, united in prayer, asking the Lord to end this pandemic." Caitlin Girouard, Cuomo's press secretary, said, "We will let the decision speak for itself." The Diocese filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Palmer v. Amazon.com, Inc.: On November 2, 2020, Judge Brian Cogan, of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, dismissed a lawsuit seeking to compel Amazon to provide extra workplace protections related to Covid-19. In their complaint, employees at Amazon’s Staten Island warehouse alleged that "Amazon’s current policies and practices constitute a public nuisance." The plaintiffs alleged that Amazon "undermines its workers’ efforts to protect themselves and their coworkers from the virus . . . through a culture of workplace fear," improper back pay for quarantine leave, and failure "to comply with public health guidance." In his dismissal order, Cogan said, "[Courts] are not expert in public health or workplace safety matters, and lack the training, expertise, and resources to oversee compliance with evolving industry guidance." Cogan added, "[Courts] are particularly ill-suited to address this evolving situation and the risk of inconsistent rulings is high."

Amazon.com, Inc. v. James: On February 12, 2021, Amazon filed suit against New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, seeking to preempt state-level regulation of its COVID-19 workplace safety protocols. In its complaint, Amazon argued that the suit was necessary to block James' threats "to sue Amazon if it does not immediately agree to a list of demands, many of which have no connection to health and safety and have no factual or legal basis." Amazon further contended that New York "lacks the legal authority it purports to wield," arguing that federal law preempts state-level laws regulating workplace safety. Responding to the lawsuit, James said, "This action by Amazon is nothing more than a sad attempt to distract from the facts and shirk accountability for its failures to protect hardworking employees from a deadly virus." The case was assigned to Judge Allyne Ross, an appointee of President Bill Clinton (D).

Maniscalco v. New York City Department of Education: On October 1, 2021, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor rejected an emergency application seeking to suspend New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for public-school teachers and staff. The petitioners had asked Sotomayor to suspend the mandate, which required that teachers and staff provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 no later than 5 p.m. EDT on October 1, 2021, while the case proceeded in lower courts. In their original complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the petitioners argued that the mandate violated their constitutional right to substantive due process and infringed upon "deeply rooted liberty interests, including the right to work as teachers." Judge Brian Cogan, an appointee of George W. Bush (R), declined to grant petitioners a preliminary injunction, finding that the mandate "represent[ed] a rational policy decision surrounding how best to protect children during a global pandemic." Petitioners appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, where Judge Joseph Bianco, also a Bush appointee, granted a temporary restraining order against the mandate pending a decision by a three-judge panel. That panel subsequently reversed Bianco’s temporary restraining order and declined to issue an injunction pending appeal, prompting the petitioners to file their emergency application with Sotomayor. Vinoo Varghese, an attorney for the petitioners, said, "We are disappointed, but the fight for our clients' due process and those similarly situated will go on."

Dr. A. v. Hochul: On October 12, 2021, a federal judge ruled in favor of a group of 17 healthcare workers seeking religious exemptions to New York's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Judge David Hurd, of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, issued a preliminary injunction barring the New York State Department of Health "from interfering in any way with the granting of religious exemptions from Covid-19 vaccination going forward or with the operation of exemptions already granted." In their complaint, the healthcare workers argued that their religious beliefs forbade them from consenting to inoculation with any vaccines "that were tested, developed or produced with fetal cell lines derived from procured abortions." They argued that the mandate, absent a religious exemption, violated protections provided under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, New York State's Human Rights Law, and the U.S. Constitution. In his order, Hurd, a Bill Clinton (D) appointee, noted that the mandate had been amended to eliminate a previously permitted religious exemption. Hurd said, "[T]his intentional change in language is the kind of 'religious gerrymander' that triggers heightened scrutiny," Hurd concluded that the "plaintiffs [were] likely to succeed on the merits of this constitutional claim" and were, therefore, entitled to an injunction. Hurd said that his order did not address "whether plaintiffs and other individuals [were] entitled to a religious exemption from the State’s workplace vaccination requirement," but rather whether they had the "right to seek a religious accommodation from their individual employers." Hurd had previously blocked the mandate’s enforcement against those claiming religious exemptions on an emergency basis, granting the plaintiffs a temporary restraining order against the state on September 14, 2021. Hurd’s October 12 injunction extended that earlier order. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said, "I stand behind this mandate, and I will fight this decision in court to keep New Yorkers safe."

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name	Office	Date	Status
Joseph Morelle	U.S. House New York District 25	September 12, 2021	Morelle announced he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was fully vaccinated when he contracted the virus.
Alessandra Biaggi	New York State Senate District 34	October 22, 2021	Biaggi announced on October 22, 2021, that she tested positive for COVID-19. She said she was fully vaccinated at the time she contracted the virus.
Sean Ryan	New York State Senate District 60	November 3, 2021	Ryan announced on November 3, 2021, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was fully vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.
Michelle Hinchey	New York State Senate District 46	November 11, 2021	Hinchey announced on November 11, 2021, that she tested positive for COVID-19. She said she was fully vaccinated at the time she contracted the virus.
Nydia Velazquez	U.S. House New York District 7	March 30, 2020	After speaking to the House attending physician, Velazquez announced that she likely contracted COVID-19 and is self-quarantined.
Suraj Patel	Candidate, U.S. House New York District 12	March 30, 2020	Patel announced that he tested positive for COVID-19.
James L. Seward	New York State Senate District 51	March 30, 2020	it was announced that James Seward tested positive for COVID-19.
Darius G. Pridgen	Buffalo Common Council Ellicott District	March 29, 2020	On March 29, 2020, Pridgen announced that he had tested posititive for coronavirus.
Melinda Katz	Queens County District Attorney	March 28, 2020	Katz tested positive for COVID-19.
Brian Miller (New York)	New York State Assembly District 101	March 27, 2020	It was announced that Brian Miller tested positive for COVID-19.
Johnny Lee Baynes	New York Supreme Court 2nd Judicial District	March 26, 2020	Baynes died from complications caused by COVID-19.
Carl Heastie	New York State Assembly District 83	March 23, 2021	Heastie announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.
Mark Levine (New York)	New York City Council District 7	March 23, 2020	Levine announced he entered a self-quarantine after experiencing symptoms matching COVID-19.
Joseph Griffo	New York State Senate District 47	March 22, 2021	Griffo announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.
Kimberly Jean-Pierre	New York State Assembly District 11	March 19, 2020	Jean-Pierre announced that she tested positive for coronavirus.
Inez Barron	New York City Council District 42	March 19, 2020	Barron tested positive for coronavirus.
Anthony Brindisi	U.S. House New York District 22	March 19, 2020	Brindisi announced that he will self-quarantine after he was in close contact with one of two congressmen to test positive for coronavirus.
Kathleen Rice	U.S. House New York District 4	March 18, 2020	Rice announced she was entering a self-quarantine after learning she had been in contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus.
Ritchie Torres	New York City Council District 15	March 16, 2020	Torres tested positive for coronavirus.
Helene Weinstein	New York State Assembly District 41	March 14, 2020	Weinstein announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.
Charles Barron	New York State Assembly District 60	March 14, 2020	Barron announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.
Julia Salazar	New York State Senate District 18	July 2, 2020	New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) announced in a press release that Salazar had tested positive for COVID-19.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez	U.S. House New York District 14	January 9, 2022	Ocasio-Cortez announced on January 9, 2022, that she tested positive for COVID-19. She said she was vaccinated at the time she contracted the virus.
Adriano Espaillat	U.S. House New York District 13	January 14, 2021	Espaillat announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.
Sean Maloney	U.S. House New York District 18	January 11, 2022	Maloney announced on January 11, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.
John Katko	U.S. House New York District 24	January 10, 2022	Katko announced on January 10, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.
Susan J. Serino	New York State Senate District 41	February 22, 2021	Serino announced on Twitter that she had tested positive for coronavirus.
Jessica Haller	Candidate, New York City Council District 11	February 2, 2021	Haller announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.
George Borrello	New York State Senate District 57	December 7, 2020	Borrello announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.
Antonio Delgado (New York)	U.S. House New York District 19	December 22, 2021	Delgado announced on December 22, 2021, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.
Nicole Malliotakis	U.S. House New York District 11	December 21, 2021	Malliotakis announced on December 21, 2021, that she tested positive for COVID-19. She said she was vaccinated at the time she contracted the virus.
James G. Skoufis	New York State Senate District 39	April 24, 2020	Skoufis announced he tested positive for COVID-19.
Noach Dear	New York Supreme Court 2nd Judicial District	April 20, 2020	Dear died from complications caused by COVID-19.
Barry Grodenchik	New York City Council District 23	April 2, 2020	Grodenchik announced he tested positive for coronavirus.
Paul Vallone	New York City Council District 19	April 1, 2020	Vallone announced he tested positive for COVID-19.
Costa Constantinides	New York City Council District 22	April 1, 2020	Constantinides announced he self-quarantined after experiencing symptoms similar to COVID-19.

Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgien
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

Choose your state...AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgienHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington, D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
• U.S. Department of Education
• World Health Organization
• Trends in Number of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in the US Reported to CDC, by State/Territory
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations, Our World in Data (Number of vaccines administered)
• Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker, New York Times (Progress of vaccine trials)

See also

• Documenting America's Path to Recovery
• School responses in New York to the coronavirus pandemic
• School responses to the coronavirus pandemic by state
• COVID-19 vaccine distribution by state
• Travel restrictions by state
• Federal government responses to the coronavirus pandemic