news article
Guidance on Governor Cuomo’s executive order
March 24, 2020 / By UNY Communications
On Friday, March 20, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he will sign an executive order mandating 100% of the workforce to stay home, excluding essential services.
Through the Governor’s Office for Faith Based Initiatives we’ve learned the Governor has clarified his guidance about the mandate that 100% of the workforce to stay home as it relates to houses of worship:
- Faith leaders can continue to record services and live stream using their equipment in their sanctuaries and are not required to do so from home.
- The Governor’s office, even with the emergency order in place, has said that “houses of worship are not ordered closed however it is strongly recommended no congregate services be held and social distance maintained” as noted in the definition of essential and nonessential.
Because foodbanks and thrift shops are considered essential services, they can remain open with minimal staffing. This is a decision that should be made individually on a local-church level.