NY Eviction Moratorium Extended To August: Cuomo

NEW YORK, NY — With an eye toward helping renters who've been struggling without a paycheck during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced the extension of the moratorium on evictions until Aug. 20.

The moratorium was issued March 20. Moving ahead, the measure bans fees for missed or late payments during the moratorium. Individuals can use their security deposit as payment and can repay that amount over a period of time, Cuomo said.

No one renting homes or commercial businesses can be evicted until August, Cuomo said.

"I hope it gives families a chance to take a deep breath," he said.

When asked about the landlords who need funds to pay the mortgage, electric bills and other expenses, Cuomo said the state is working with banks to provide relief.

231 new deaths reported

On Thursday, Cuomo also reported that the number of hospitalizations statewide was down to 8,600, a "fairly significant drop," and intubations are also down.

A total of 231 new deaths were reported statewide over the past 24 hours.

Rate of infection for health care workers

A top priority, Cuomo said, is protecting front-line and essential workers.

"This all happened so fast," he said. "Front-line workers showed up and went to work; they put their lives in danger so everyone else could stay home. Look at the courage."

A total of 27,000 health care workers recently underwent antibody testing at downstate health care facilities, Cuomo said. On Long Island, 11.1 percent tested positive for antibodies, compared with 11.4 percent of the general population.

In New York City, 12.2 percent of health care workers tested positive for the antibodies, compared to 19.9 percent of the general populations. And in Westchester, 6.8 percent tested positive for antibodies, with 13.8 percent of the general population testing positive.

(Courtesy ny.gov)

"That is amazingly good news," Cuomo said.

The data, he said, also makes two points: Health care workers must continue to be protected and personal protective equipment is key.

"That mad scramble for PPE can never happen again," Cuomo said. Every hospital, he has said, must have a 90-day supply of protective equipment.

The new information, Cuomo added, "shows everyone how important masks, gloves and sanitizers are — and that they work."

Nourish NY initiative

Cuomo also mentioned the Nourish NY initiative , which matches up farmers upstate who can't sell their products with downstate residents who are "going hungry and can't pay for food." So far, $25 million has been allocated to the program to bolster 25 food banks, he said.

Looking ahead, Cuomo said the hope is to garner support of philanthropies. Those interested can email covidphilanthropies@exec.ny.gov.