Around the country, we are seeing increases in Coronavirus cases, and in the tri-state region, we are seeing an uptick in cases. As cases rise in the State, Governor Cuomo’s Cluster Action Initiative will divide clusters (COVID-19 hot spots) and the areas around them into three categories with successively higher restrictions within each one: Red Zone – cluster Itself; Orange Zone – warning zone; and Yellow Zone – precautionary zone.

Effective November 19, certain areas in the communities of New Rochelle, Ossining, Tarrytown, Yonkers, and Peekskill have been designated YELLOW ZONES.  This is a precautionary zone that is following specific guidelines to reduce the spread of the virus in the communities. Click on the button below to view specific addresses.

Effective November 16, the City of Mount Vernon issued a stay-at-home advisory. While this is not mandatory, we are adopting the suggestion to limit travel to essential outings only and ensuring our homes avoid the area for non-essential travel.  Mount Vernon residents are urged to get tested at local medical facilities.

Port Chester along the Connecticut border including areas of Rye Brook has been designated an ORANGE ZONE which is categorized as a warning zone.  Many new restrictions including public schools moving to full remote have been put in place.

We have a Day Services program site in Port Chester and are following all regulations and guidelines set forth by the state and OPWDD which includes suspending in-person services at that location.  If you live in the area and/or frequent locations in this designated zone, please stay vigilant, keep posted on the metrics of the Micro-Cluster areas, and take every precaution set forth by the Department of Health.  All reports indicate that we have entered yet another wave of the virus and we have the power to make careful decisions that can reduce the spread in our local communities.

Westchester County DOH and Open Door Family Medical Center have coordinated to provide rapid testing at 5 Grace Church Street in Port Chester. To make an appointment CLICK HERE  or call (914) 995-7425. To learn more about Governor Cuomo’s Micro Cluster Strategy and to check your address, click on the button below.

The Governor has also announced new guidelines to the TRAVEL ADVISORY to ensure successful containment of COVID-19 in New York. The Governor has stopped posting a quarantine list of states. Effective Wednesday, November 4, there will be one rule that applies across the country for non-essential workers.

• Out-of-state travelers will now be allowed to “Test Out” of mandatory 14-day quarantines.
• Travelers from Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Vermont will continue to be exempt from the travel advisory; however, these travelers must still continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form.    View Interim Guidance→

For any traveler to New York State from out-of-state (excluding CT, NJ, PA, MA & VT), the new guidelines for non-essential travelers to test-out of the mandatory 14-day quarantine are as follows:

For travelers who were in another state for more than 24 hours:

• Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure from that state.
• The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days.
• On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.

For travelers who were in another state for less than 24 hours:

• The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State.
• The traveler must fill out the traveler information form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID test 4 days after their arrival in New York.

Additionally, the Governor has requested that people avoid non-essential tristate travel, and warnings have been issued against holiday travel.

The Arc Westchester’s OPWDD programs have been designated as Essential Services. Essential workers are exempt from Mandatory Quarantine (as they were before), however, if any of our staff have out-of-state travel plans, they will alert their direct supervisor immediately as to their destination. Essential workers continue to report to work and do not quarantine themselves from work. Essential workers returning from out of state should still get a COVID test as outlined above.

To ensure the health of all our community, we need to make sure that all infection control guidelines are followed when returning from another state. Ongoing cooperation is needed as we all continue to live in a COVID-19 environment.

Click the button below to view zoned maps and enter your address to see if you live in one of the designated areas. We are monitoring this closely and are working diligently to implement plans that will ensure the safety of the individuals we support, our staff, families, and the community.