East Hampton Supervisor Declares State Of Emergency

EAST HAMPTON, NY — One day after the first coronavirus case was confirmed in East Hampton, the town has declared a state of emergency.

The first patient, a woman in her late 70s, is under mandatory quarantine; she has not had contact with the town's senior center, programs, or transportation services, and lives in a private residence, town officials said in a release. The Suffolk County Department of Health is investigating patient’s movements and contacts, the release said

As a precaution and to avoid community spread of the disease, most meetings are canceled and business will be conducted remotely, the release said.

The state of emergency authorizes East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc, in conjunction with the town emergency preparedness coordinator and the East Hampton Town Police chief, to take whatever actions are deemed necessary to protect public health and safety.

The following measures will be enacted and remain in place until further notice:

• East Hampton's facilities and programs, with the exception of the town recycling centers in East Hampton and Montauk, will be closed to the public as of Monday. Town staff will report to work for essential business and can continue to accept and process applications for permits and other issues, but officials ask that submissions be made electronically. Those with critical or time-sensitive business should call to make arrangements
• The East Hampton Town Police department will remain open to the public.
• Meetings of town committees or other groups have been canceled until further notice. Assistance can be provided by the supervisor’s office for groups that wish to set up a teleconference.
• Meetings of the town board and of town appointed boards such as the zoning board of appeals and the planning board may proceed, but members of the public are asked not to attend in person. Check with the appropriate department for schedules. The meetings are broadcast live on LTV Channel 22. Public comments on agenda matters may be submitted to the town clerk at CBrennan@EHamptonny.gov, and remote conferencing can be arranged for public participation.
• All public hearings of the planning board, zoning board of appeals, and architectural review board are canceled until further notice except in instances where time constraints have been placed on an application through a court or other legal obligation.
• The East Hampton Town senior center closed as of March 11; individualized services are available.
• The Montauk Friends of Erin have announced that the March 22 St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been postponed.The AmO’Gansett parade, which was scheduled for March 14, has also been postponed.
• In addition to avoiding contact with others, all community members are urged to follow precautionary measures: Wash hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; disinfect frequently touched surfaces frequently; cough or sneeze into a tissue and then immediately discard; avoid close contact with those who are ill; and stay home if ill