FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2020

COVID-19 RELEASE LETTERS AVAILABLE
FOR THOSE UNDER QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION ORDERS
NOW AVAILABLE ON COUNTY WEBSITE

New City, NY, - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce a convenient way for residents to request a letter indicating the person is released from COVID-19 quarantine or isolation. These letters serve as confirmation that a person is no longer considered infected with or exposed to COVID-19 and may return to work or school. Residents can request a letter by completing the questionnaire here: http://rcklnd.us/dohrelease

"We are happy to be able to provide a quick and convenient way for our residents who recovered from COVID-19 to get the clearance they need in order to return to their everyday lives. Upon properly completing the questionnaire, a resident will be emailed the release letter; this process will help our residents get back to work as soon as they have met the release criteria. Visit the Rockland County Department of Health's main Coronavirus webpage, http://rcklnd.us/covid19 for information on how to obtain a letter," said Dr. Ruppert.

Any resident of Rockland County who has tested positive for or been exposed to a known positive case of COVID-19 is subject to mandatory isolation or mandatory quarantine in accordance with the Standing Commissioner's Order. If you have been subject to mandatory isolation or quarantine by the Rockland County Department of Health, as a result of COVID-19, visit http://rcklnd.us/dohrelease to request a release letter that you can provide to your school or employer to show you have completed the required quarantine or isolation period and are eligible to return.

If you are staying or residing in a hospital, nursing home, adult care facility, or other congregate setting administered by or in conjunction with medical providers, you cannot be released from isolation until such time as the facility determines you have met the appropriate criteria for release from isolation, which may differ from the criteria identified through this online application. These letters only identify your release from medical isolation or quarantine imposed by the Rockland County Department of Health. They do not release you from any other restrictions related to COVID-19 imposed by the state of New York.

Residents should continue to practice good hygiene, including washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cover your cough and sneeze with your elbow or a tissue, and do not touch eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Ensure that frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, handles, remote controls, and phones are cleaned often.

Reminder to all, as per New York State Executive Order 202.17, any individual who is over age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering shall be required to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining, social distance.

If you have general COVID-19 concerns or any questions about COVID-19 testing, call the New York State Department of Health's Novel Coronavirus 24-hour hotline at 1-888-364-3065 to speak with a NYSDOH expert who will answer questions. You may also call the Rockland County COVID-19 Hotline at 845-238-1956, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm or email COVIDCallCenter@co.rockland.ny.us. For local COVID-19 information and resources, visit the county's coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage at http://rcklnd.us/covid19 or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rockhealth or Twitter at www.twitter.com/rockhealth for more information.

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