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Cuomo: Low-risk youth sports for regions in phase three can begin July 6

Mon, Jun 15th 2020 09:30 am

State extending special enrollment in health plan marketplace for an additional 30 days, through July 15

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday announced low-risk youth sports for regions in phase three of reopening can begin on July 6, with up to two spectators allowed per child.

“Young people can engage in sports. Two spectators per child. So, that's another step towards return to normalcy,” he said.

•Cuomo also announced the state is extending the special open enrollment period in the New York State of Health health plan marketplace for an additional 30 days – through July 15, 2020.

“We're going to expand the timeline to enroll in our health exchange,” he said. “We're going to extend that another 30 days. That health exchange works. We have one of the highest rates of health coverage ever, in this state. It is a great, great accomplishment and we want to keep it going and get it even higher, so we're extending the deadline.”

•The governor signed legislation (S.8245-A/A.10517) requiring the State Department of Health to conduct a study on the health impacts of COVID-19 on minorities in New York. The state previously conducted an antibody testing survey at churches in lower-income New York City communities and communities of color, which showed higher infection rates among individuals in these communities compared to the overall population.

•Cuomo said the state had reached the lowest number of hospitalizations and deaths since the pandemic began. The number of total hospitalizations was down Saturday to its lowest level since March 20, to 1,657. Twenty-three people in New York passed away due to COVID-19, down from a record-high of 800 just nine weeks ago.

"New York state has been continuing to follow the data and the numbers on the COVID-19 virus and we are making really great progress with the lowest number of deaths and hospitalizations since this pandemic first began," Cuomo said. "This is all good news, but our behavior is what's keeping these numbers down – and the numbers can change in a week if we don't remain disciplined and follow the guidelines and protocols in place. We've been getting reports from all across the state of large gatherings, social distancing violations and people are not wearing masks – and we want to remind all individuals and businesses, especially bars and restaurants, that failure to follow the state's reopening rules and guidelines will result in serious consequences."

New York State Sen. Kevin Parker said, "COVID has ripped off an ugly scab from the wound of health disparities in our state. We need to understand more about how this pandemic affected African-American and Latino communities, so we can prevent this catastrophe of disease and death in the future. This legislation is an important first step towards eliminating health disparities in our state and protecting vulnerable communities. The governor embodies the loving nature of New York by signing this bill into law."

Assembly Member Jeffrion L. Aubry said, "The disparities in communities that were exposed by the pandemic must be explored analyzed and eradicated. This bill requires that work. My thanks to the governor, the Senate and Assembly for acting swiftly on this legislation."

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