Ulster, Dutchess, Orange Schools To Close For 2 Weeks

KINGSTON, NY — Due to concerns about the new coronavirus, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan is closing all schools in the county for 14 days, starting Monday. In a news conference Friday, he said that Dutchess and Orange counties will be taking similar action.

A spokesman for Dutchess County said County Executive Marc Molinaro is suspending all classroom and extracurricular functions for 14 days, including extra-curricular activities, effective Monday, March 16, due to COVID-19.

Molinaro said schools may remain open to administration, staff and staff functions. This order does not include private daycare facilities, Head Start or other daycare programs, unless there is a direct need based on school facility logistics.

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Ryan said his office is working closely with school officials and community leaders to develop plans at the school district level to help alleviate the stresses and hardships this will place on Ulster County's families.

"Based on what we currently know about the spread of COVID-19, we believe that acting decisively now will significantly reduce the impact on our community and help protect our most vulnerable neighbors," he said.

Ulster Commissioner of Health Dr. Carol Smith said the decision was not made lightly, but it needed to be made to stop the continued spread of COVID-19.

The latest numbers of positive cases of the new coronavirus, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo at a Friday news conference, were three for Dutchess County (up two from Thursday), three for Orange County (up two from Thursday) and five for Ulster County (up one from Thursday).

There are 421 cases of the new coronavirus in the state, up 96 from Thursday.

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus closing schools is a preventive measure that has been taken throughout the state and the country, and "we feel that this is the most prudent course of action for our county schools."

All three counties activated states of emergency. Measures that will go into effect include suspending visitation at jails and postponing civil service exams through the end of the month.

Dutchess County will suspend all large social and community gatherings, including county-sponsored events to allow adequate social distancing. The county's Office for the Aging's eight Senior Friendship Centers will be closed effective March 16.

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