New York Capital Brief:

Cuomo Releases Book: American Crisis

In March, Governor Cuomo gained national attention when New York became the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as New York’s positivity rate hovers around 1%, Cuomo gives what he calls a “halftime review” in his new book American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Protesters Seek Expanded Visitation

Advocates, lawmakers, and family members of nursing home and assisted living residents rallied in front of the State Capitol on Wednesday, calling for Governor Cuomo to lift restrictions on visitation.

The protesters called for passage of S.8958, a bill that would allow residents to designate a “personal care visitor,” a family member or legal guardian, who would be able to visit the resident by adhering to the same health and safety guidelines required for staff members.

First Virtual NYC Mayoral Forum

On Tuesday night, a NYC Democratic Club hosted the first Democratic forum for the 2021 NYC mayoral election virtually. The seven candidates who participated include former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, former top Bloomberg and Obama administration official Shaun Donovan, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, former nonprofit executive Dianne Morales, Brooklyn City Council Member Carlos Menchaca, and Maya Wiley, civil rights attorney and former counsel to Mayor de Blasio.

Cuomo Threatens NYC Funding

For weeks now, Governor Cuomo has expressed his frustration with municipalities that are not adequately enforcing the compliance of social-distancing mandates, especially those within what have become COVID “clusters.” As a result, Cuomo announced that he will withhold State funding from several municipalities, including NYC, if officials do not enforce compliance of “hotspot” restrictions.

COVID & Travel Advisory Update

On September 28, Governor Cuomo Signed an Executive Order reminding international travelers coming from Level 2 & 3 countries to quarantine for 14 days and fill out the NY health travel form.

On June 25, Governor Cuomo, along with CT Governor Lamont and NJ Governor Murphy, implemented a tri-state travel advisory which requires anyone who is returning from a “restricted state” to quarantine for 14 days. This week, Ohio, Michigan, and Virginia were added. There are 38 total states on the list.

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lifted its directive recommending travelers coming from states with a high rate of coronavirus cases self-quarantine for 14 days to stem the spread of COVID, Governor Cuomo indicated that New York’s travel advisory won’t be lifted any time soon.