RyeCity REVIEW THE
June 25, 2021 | Vol. 9, Number 23 | www.ryecityreview.com
SEE YOU IN COURT
Governor lifts most COVID-19 restrictions
Failed negotiations with Westchester County has led private airline Million Air to file a lawsuit against the county seeking more than $30 million in damages. For more, see page 3.
Save the Sound releases 2021 LIS Beach Report On June 10, Save the Sound released its 2021 Long Island Sound Beach Report at Orchard Beach in The Bronx. The report offered good news for swimmers, noting that 79% of the more than 200 Long Island Sound beaches highlighted earned “A” or “B” grades for water quality in the 2020 swimming season. As inspiration to swimmers and beachgoers, the biennial report provided a list of
the “Top 20” public beaches on Long Island Sound based on water quality (10 each in New York and Connecticut) and presented comprehensive grades for 204 swimming beaches overall for 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. However, the report also showed a decline in water quality at many beaches in the days following rain, which is especially troubling given predic-
tions of increasing seasonal wet weather due to climate change. Save the Sound is calling on elected officials to invest in repairs and improvements to sewer and stormwater systems, which impact beach water quality after heavy and even moderate rain. How clean are the waters you’re swimming in? Our Water Quality team has the answers! Join Tracy Brown, regional di-
rector, Water Protection for an in-depth webinar breaking down our 2021 Long Island Sound Beach Report. We’ll break down how we score the 200-plus beaches around Long Island Sound, the trends that we’ve seen, and what actions you can take to create healthier beaches for your community. Learn how your beach stacks up against others throughout Connecticut and New York. (Submitted)
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Tuesday, June 15 that COVID-19 restrictions are lifted immediately as 70% of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccination series. The state’s health guidance and New York Forward industry specific guidelines—including social gathering limits, capacity restrictions, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screening and contact information for tracing—are now optional for retail, food services, offices, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and personal care services, among other commercial settings. Unvaccinated individuals continue to be responsible for wearing masks, in accordance with federal CDC guidance. Consistent with the dstate’s implementation of the recent CDC guidance, masks are still required for unvaccinated individuals. Further, the state’s health guidelines continue to be in effect for large-scale indoor event venues, pre-K to grade 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and health care settings per CDC guidelines. The state’s COVID restrictions remain in effect for largescale indoor event venues—now defined as indoor venues that hold more than 5,000 attendees. Consistent with the state’s implementation of the CDC guidelines, proof of vaccination can be used to eliminate social distancing and remove masks for fully vaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status individuals who are over the age
of four must continue to present proof of a recent negative diagnostic COVID-19 test result and wear masks within the venue. However, social distancing can be reduced or eliminated between tested attendees, allowing venues to reach 100% capacity in all sections. As of June 15, over 70% of adult New Yorkers have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and the rate of new COVID-19 cases has plummeted to the lowest levels in the nation. Given New York’s progress and the diminished risk of COVID-19 within the community, the state is lifting COVID-19 restrictions effective immediately, except for the mask requirement for unvaccinated individuals and in certain settings (e.g., largescale indoor event venues, pre-K to grade 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes and health care settings per CDC guidance). With the removal of the state’s minimum standard for reopening, businesses are free to choose to lift all or some restrictions, continue to adhere to the state’s archived guidance, or implement other health precautions for their employees and patrons. Businesses are also authorized to require masks and six feet of social distancing for employees and patrons within their establishments, regardless of vaccination status. Any mask requirements that businesses choose to implement must adhere to applicable federal and state laws and regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Submitted)