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Press Release

Publish Date: 4/16/2020

Executive Renews Emergency Order

Local Emergency Order Number 5 of 2020 (PDF)

LOCAL EMERGENCY ORDER NUMBER 5 OF 2020

WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020 I, Matthew L. Ossenfort, issued a local State of Emergency in Montgomery County due to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS,  Governor Cuomo also issued Executive Order Number 202, declaring a State disaster emergency for the entire State of New York; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a danger to public safety and action needs to be taken to protect the health and welfare of Montgomery County residents.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Matthew L. Ossenfort, Montgomery County Executive, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 24 of the New York Executive Law to promulgate local emergency orders to protect life and property or to bring the emergency situation under control, hereby Order the following:

  • All indoor common portions of retail shopping malls in Montgomery County with in excess of 100,000 square feet of retail space available for lease shall close and cease access to the public. Any stores located within shopping malls, which have their own external entrances open to the public, separate from the general mall entrance, may remain provided that any restaurant shall limit itself to take out or delivery food services, and that any interior entrances to common areas of the mall remain closed and locked.
  • All places of public amusement in Montgomery County, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, family and children’s attractions shall likewise be closed to the public. This directive shall not apply to public parks and open recreation areas.
  • Any restaurant or bar in Montgomery County shall cease serving patrons food or beverage on-premises and shall only serve food or beverage for off-premises consumption.
  • Any facility authorized to conduct video lottery gaming, or casino gaming in Montgomery County shall cease operation.
  • Any gym, fitness centers or classes, and movie theaters in Montgomery County shall also cease operation.
  • 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. This directive shall not apply to a school, hospital, nursing home, other medical office or facility as determined by the Commissioner of Health, mass transit or mass transit facility, governmental facility, law enforcement facility, or retail establishments including grocery stores.
  • All businesses and not-for-profit entities in Montgomery County shall utilize, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting or work from home procedures that they can safely utilize. Each employer shall reduce the in-person workforce at any work locations by 100%. Any essential business or entity providing essential services or functions shall not be subject to the in-person restrictions. An entity providing essential services or functions whether to an essential business or a non-essential business shall not be subjected to the in-person work restriction, but may operate at the level necessary to provide such service or function. Essential businesses are as follows: essential health care operations including research and laboratory services; essential infrastructure including utilities, telecommunication, airports and transportation infrastructure; essential manufacturing, including food processing and pharmaceuticals; essential retail including grocery stores and pharmacies; essential services including trash collection, mail, and shipping services; news media;  banks and related financial institutions; providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations; certain construction as determined by Empire State Development; vendors of essential services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences or other essential businesses;  vendors that provide essential services or products, including logistics and technology support, child care and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public, or businesses deemed essential by Empire State Development.
  • All barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing parlors and related personal care services will be closed to members of the public. This shall also include nail technicians, cosmetologists and estheticians, and the provision of electrolysis, laser hair removal services, as these services cannot be provided while maintaining social distance.
  • All Montgomery County Offices are closed to the public and all staff except essential personnel.
  • All visitation at the Montgomery County Jail is suspended.
  • All Civil Service Exams are suspended.

THIS ORDER SHALL TAKE EFFECT APRIL 16, 2020 AND REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL REMOVED BY THE ORDER OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OR UPON ITS EXPIRATION.

FAILURE TO OBEY THIS ORDER IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE PUNISHABLE AS A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR PURSUANT TO NEW YORK STATE EXECUTIVE LAW §24 (5).

ORDERED this 16th day of April 2020.

Local Emergency Order Number 5 of 2020 (PDF)