FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2020

Commissioner's Order Prohibiting Gatherings of More Than 10 Individuals – Discontinued

In Preparation of Entering Phase 1 of New York Forward Plan

New City, NY, - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce the discontinuation of Order No. 2020-0016S "Commissioner's Second Standing Order Prohibiting Gatherings of More Than 10 Individuals." The Order enhanced the enforcement ability of law enforcement and the Health Department where groups or gatherings of more than 10 people were not complying with social distancing. The discontinued Order is attached for reference.

"To be clear, law enforcement is still able to enforce the Governor's Order prohibiting non-essential gatherings," said County Executive Day. "What we are doing is laying the groundwork and removing any possible impediment to future changes in the Governor's Orders. This is an evolving issue and we want to avoid any local confusion as Orders and guidelines could soon change in New York State."

This discontinuation does not have any effect on the prohibitions set forth by Governor Cuomo's New York State Executive Order 202.10 which states, "Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time."

Governor Cuomo's most recent Executive Order, 202.32 modified Executive Order 202.10 to permit gatherings of ten or fewer individuals under these specific circumstances; for religious services or ceremonies and for the purposes of Memorial Day services or commemorations, provided that social distancing protocols and cleaning and disinfection protocols required by the New York State Department of Health are adhered to.

Executive Order 202.32 also stated, "that any drive-in or remote religious service may continue in excess of the ten person limit so long as there is no in-person contact between participants. Vehicle caravans are permitted." That Order is available for reference here: https://on.ny.gov/3d13DjK

The Commissioner's Standing Mandatory Quarantine Order, Standing Precautionary Quarantine Order, Standing Isolation Order, Emergency School Closure Order and Test Protective Order remain in effect. For the most up to date information on these Orders please visit: https://rocklandgov.com/departments/county-executive/.

For the most up to date information on the 2019 novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the Rockland County Department of Health's main Coronavirus webpage: http://rcklnd.us/covid19 or the Center for Disease Control & Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. 

# # #

Follow us on Twitter: @rocklandgov
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/rocklandcountyny
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/rocklandgov
Visit our website: rocklandgov.com