Rockland Preps For Reopening After Coronavirus Outbreak

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — As county residents mourn the 615 locals dead as of Thursday from COVID-19, Rockland County Legislator Phil Soskin, a U.S. Army veteran, encouraged everyone to put their American flags out on Memorial Day "and to pause, even if it’s just for a moment, to offer a thank you to those who died so that the rest of us might live in peace."

"For many people, Memorial Day has become a time for them to remember loved ones who are no longer here, and sadly this year, that also includes more than 600 Rockland families who have lost a relative to COVID-19,” Legislator Alden Wolfe said.

The outbreak has been severe in Rockland. In the past 82 days, nearly 1 in 3 county residents who have been tested for the new coronavirus tested positive: 28.7 percent as of Thursday, according to the county dashboard. Currently 108 people are hospitalized in the county with confirmed or suspected cases of the disease.

This week, New York officials loosened restrictions on gatherings slightly, permitting gatherings of 10 or fewer individuals under these specific circumstances; for religious services or ceremonies and for the purposes of Memorial Day services or commemorations, provided that social distancing protocols and cleaning and disinfection protocols required by the New York State Department of Health are adhered to. After Memorial Day, any drive-in or remote religious service may continue in excess of the 10 person limit so long as there is no in-person contact between participants. Vehicle caravans are permitted.

In response to that change, and as Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the Hudson Valley would probably start reopening next week, Rockland lifted its own executive order on gatherings.

“To be clear, law enforcement is still able to enforce the Governor’s Order prohibiting non-essential gatherings,” said County Executive Ed Day. “What we are doing is laying the groundwork and removing any possible impediment to future changes in the Governor’s Orders. This is an evolving issue and we want to avoid any local confusion as Orders and guidelines could soon change in New York State."]

Here is the Memorial Day weekend visitation schedule for Rockland County’s Veterans’ Cemeteries:

• Frederick W. Loescher Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 220 Brick Church Road in New Hempstead, daily, sunrise to sunset.
• Gary Onderdonk Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, on the grounds of Rockland Community College, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24; and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Memorial Day, May 25. Use the main entrance on College Road.

If you visit the cemeteries, maintain social distancing at all times and wear a face covering.