Tue, Jun 15th 2021 03:05 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced COVID-19 restrictions are lifted immediately as 70% of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccination series. The state's health guidance and "New York Forward" industry-specific guidelines - including social gathering limits, capacity restrictions, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screening, and contact information for tracing - are now optional for retail, food services, offices, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and personal care services, among other commercial settings.
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Tue, Jun 15th 2021 03:00 pm
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Tue, Jun 15th 2021 01:15 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the availability of $105 million in critical arts and cultural funding through the New York State Council on the Arts, including a program to reinvigorate near-term live performances that opens for applications Wednesday. The grants will aid in the arts sector's multiyear recovery from COVID-19 and spur the revitalization of New York's creative economy, which fosters $123 billion annually in economic activity and supports more than 500,000 jobs statewide.
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Tue, Jun 15th 2021 01:10 pm
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) announced a partnership with the Association on Aging in New York and Selfhelp Community Services to bring Selfhelp's Virtual Senior Center (VSC) into the homes of older New Yorkers to improve connectivity, combat social isolation, improve health and wellness. Launching initially with 20 pilot counties, the VSC will be available as a tool to help organizations bring their communities online for more than 700 potential AAA's.
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Tue, Jun 15th 2021 01:10 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced landmarks across the state will be lit blue and gold tonight in celebration of reaching 70% of New York adults receiving their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. In addition to these lightings, firework displays will be held at 10 sites across the state beginning at 9:15 p.m.
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Fri, Jun 11th 2021 11:55 am
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels have adapted their cleaning procedures and housekeeping standards, and the AAA Diamond Program is evolving to meet the changing expectations of today's travelers. In fact, according to AAA research, 76% of consumers surveyed would be disappointed if a third-party inspection did not evaluate whether high-touch areas in a hotel are sanitized.
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Fri, Jun 11th 2021 11:30 am
The program reimburses New York small businesses with grants of up to $50,000 for COVID-19-related expenses incurred between March 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021. Grants will be awarded to small and micro businesses and small for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations, with priority being given to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners, including minority- and women-owned business enterprises, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses and veteran-owned businesses, and businesses located in economically distressed communities.
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Tue, Jun 8th 2021 04:25 pm
The New York state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive at least the maximum allowable level of food benefits for June, a benefits distribution that will push more than $200 million in federal aid into the state's recovering economy.
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Tue, Jun 8th 2021 04:25 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday proposed legislation to waive taxes on grants from the $800 million COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant program. Applications for the program will be accepted starting June 10 for small and micro businesses and small for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations to help them recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.
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Tue, Jun 8th 2021 03:55 pm
Congressman Brian Higgins, who serves as co-chair of the northern border caucus and the Canada-U.S. interparliamentary group, released the following statement Tuesday in response to ongoing discussions about U.S.-Canada border restrictions:
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Tue, Jun 8th 2021 10:25 am
New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay and members of their respective conferences on Monday announced the introduction of a concurrent resolution that would terminate the state disaster emergency declared by Gov. Cuomo on March 7, 2020, under executive order 202 and revoke his decision-making authority.
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Tue, Jun 8th 2021 10:20 am
The Erie County Department of Health is announcing a "Doses & Mimosas" event on Sunday, June 13, in partnership with Savoy Buffalo, Mr. Goodbar and 40 Thieves in Buffalo.
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Mon, Jun 7th 2021 05:15 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced 11 new pop-up vaccination sites will open in areas where ZIP code data shows the vaccination rate is significantly lower than the statewide average. New York will expand on the program and open additional sites in the coming weeks.
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Mon, Jun 7th 2021 02:40 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced the coronavirus positivity rate in every region of New York state has dropped below 1% for the first time since Aug. 19.
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Mon, Jun 7th 2021 01:45 pm
In an effort to help explain how the COVID-19 vaccines were developed and how a vaccine works, the University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), the International Institute of Buffalo and the Erie County Department of Health collaborated on the creation of a downloadable infographic. The infographic is available in 15 languages, thanks to translation by the International Institute.
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Mon, Jun 7th 2021 01:25 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced most of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted once 70% of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received the first dose of their coronavirus vaccination series.
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Mon, Jun 7th 2021 10:40 am
At a press conference at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, Congressman Chris Jacobs called for transparency on reopening deliberations, and a plan to allow families to reunite on June 22 - when the current travel restrictions expire. Families who have been separated by the border closures joined Jacobs.
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Mon, Jun 7th 2021 10:40 am
Over the weekend, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the "Vax and Scratch" program - which provides free New York state Lottery scratch-off tickets to individuals 18 and over with a grand prize of $5 million - will extend another week. Participating sites will be open from Monday, June 7, through Friday, June 11. The program will not impact education funding.
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Sat, Jun 5th 2021 09:45 am
New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta issued the following statement Friday on the state Department of Health's planned changes to mask guidance for K-12 schools:
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Fri, Jun 4th 2021 09:20 am
New York State Senate Republican Rob Ortt penned a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo urging him to ease mask mandates in schools, particularly as new COVID-19 cases are at record lows and temperatures are expected to increase dramatically next week.
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Wed, Jun 2nd 2021 10:00 am
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Buffalo & Erie County are responding to a growing need for mental health care stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Tue, Jun 1st 2021 04:35 pm
The Niagara County Department of Social Services announced the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is now accepting applications to help low and moderate-income households who are behind in their rent payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Tue, Jun 1st 2021 01:25 pm
Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman made the following statement on the closure of the Paycheck Protection Program to new loan guaranty applications, which has provided over $798 billion in economic relief to small businesses and nonprofits across the nation, "keeping employees employed and helping businesses come back stronger than ever."
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Tue, Jun 1st 2021 11:55 am
Congressman Brian Higgins responded to published reports indicating plans are underway to accommodate NHL teams by extending exemptions for travel between the U.S. and Canada.
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Tue, Jun 1st 2021 11:55 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo released the following statement on Monday: "During the month of May, we took major steps towards reopening our economy and, as of May 31, we are lifting the midnight curfew on indoor dining for bars and restaurants across New York."
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Tue, Jun 1st 2021 07:00 am
The Niagara County Department of Health has expanded all second-dose clinics in the month of June to include free single-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older. There will be clinics at seven different sites.
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Mon, May 31st 2021 07:00 am
Erie County Medical Center Corp. caregivers will staff a pop-up vaccine site outside Sahlen Field prior to the upcoming Toronto Blue Jay games - from 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, June 1-2. The site will provide the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
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Fri, May 28th 2021 02:50 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced the "Vax and Scratch" program - which provides free New York State Lottery scratch-off tickets to individuals 18 and over with a grand prize of $5 million - will extend to 10 new state mass-vaccination sites.
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Fri, May 28th 2021 01:40 pm
Since the onset of COVID-19, Tops has been working to protect the community it serves. To that end, it is offering the community an at-home COVID-19 testing kit manufactured by Quidel and distributed by McKesson.
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Thu, May 27th 2021 09:05 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced the New York State Department of Labor is issuing guidance to all employers that any necessary recovery period from the COVID-19 vaccine is covered under the state's Paid Sick Leave Law.
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Wed, May 26th 2021 04:10 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced the "Get a Shot to Make Your Future" incentive for 12- to 17-year-olds to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Participants can enter into a random prize drawing and potentially receive a full scholarship to a SUNY or CUNY college, beginning May 27.
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Mon, May 24th 2021 06:05 pm
Widespread vaccine distribution in the United States has been among the country's most successful public health programs, according to David Herzberg, a professor of history in the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences. And though these programs have nearly wiped out many viruses responsible for causing virulent diseases, Herzberg says vaccine concerns and hesitancy, especially as they relate to COVID-19, are not new. They have been around as long as there have been vaccines.
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Mon, May 24th 2021 05:55 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday directed flags on state government buildings to be flown at half-staff and state landmarks to be lit red, white and blue on Sunday, May 30, to honor the essential workers who lost their lives due to COVID-19.
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Mon, May 24th 2021 05:50 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced that, based on current COVID-19 trajectory, all New York state schools will reopen for full in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year beginning in September.
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Mon, May 24th 2021 02:05 pm
Erie County and the Erie County Department of Health announced Dunkin' will provide 2,000 gift cards (valued at $5 each) for distribution at county-run COVID-19 vaccine clinics starting Tuesday, May 25. These cards will be given to youth ages 12 and older as they complete the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, with a second dose at ECDOH clinics.
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Fri, May 21st 2021 12:40 pm
Locally and nationwide, the number of COVID-19 cases is plummeting and the predominant message seems to be that the worst of the pandemic may be behind us.
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Fri, May 21st 2021 10:00 am
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced the allocation of $5 billion in American Rescue Plan funds for emergency housing vouchers for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
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Fri, May 21st 2021 09:55 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced a new vaccination program that will provide free New York Lottery scratch-off tickets to individuals 18 and over, with a grand prize of $5 million.
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Fri, May 21st 2021 09:50 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced seven new pop-up vaccination sites at airports in New York City, White Plains, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. The sites will be open for walk-in vaccinations on a first-come, first-served basis utilizing the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
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Thu, May 20th 2021 11:40 am
Congressman Brian Higgins on Thursday expressed great disappointment following the announcement the United States and Canada have continued to keep the northern border closed to nonessential travel for another full month.
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