NEW YORK, NY– Caribbean American Brooklyn, New York Assembly Member Diana C. Richardson has abruptly closed her Brooklyn office amid what she describes as “an outbreak of COVID-19.”
“I regret to inform you that my office is currently experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19, and we will have to close for the foreseeable future,” said Richardson, the daughter of St. Martin and Aruban immigrants, in an email message to constituents.
“I have instructed everyone to quarantine, and we are reaching out to anyone we have come in contact with this week,” added the representative for the 43rd Assembly District in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn in the heart of the Caribbean community.
“My constituents always come first, so, hopefully, we can return to work as soon as possible,” continued Richardson without identifying any staffer who contracted the disease or how they acquired it.
“This is also a reminder to all of us that COVID-19 is still a risk and to remain vigilant,” she said. “Please stay safe and healthy, wear a mask, and please get vaccinated.”
On Friday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that masks would be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement.
The governor said this “a major action” to address the winter surge, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise statewide, and to be in alignment with the Atlanta, Georgia-based Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations for communities with substantial and high transmission.
Hochul said this determination is also based on the State’s weekly seven-day case rate and increased hospitalizations.
She said the new business and venue requirements, which extend to both patrons and staff, go into effect on Monday until January 15, 2022, after which the State will re-evaluate based on current conditions.
“The new measure brings added layers of mitigation during the holidays when more time is spent shopping indoors, gathering and visiting holiday-themed destinations,” said the governor in a statement. “As governor, my two top priorities are to protect the health of New Yorkers and to protect the health of our economy.
“The temporary measures I am taking today will help accomplish this through the holiday season,” she added. “We shouldn’t have reached the point where we are confronted with a winter surge, especially with the vaccine at our disposal, and I share many New Yorkers’ frustration that we are not past this pandemic yet.
“I want to thank the more than 80 percent of adult New Yorkers who have done the right thing to get fully vaccinated,” Hochul continued. “If others will follow suit, these measures will no longer be necessary.”
She said she had warned for weeks that additional steps could be necessary, stating that “now we are at that point, based upon three metrics: Increasing cases, reduced hospital capacity, and insufficient vaccination rates in certain areas.”
Since the Thanksgiving holiday in November, the governor said the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by 43 percent, and hospitalizations have increased by 29 percent.
She said while the percentage of New Yorkers fully vaccinated continues to increase—gaining 2 percent from Thanksgiving weekend to now—the uptick is not fast enough to curb the spread of the virus completely, particularly among communities with low vaccination coverage.
Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett, a former New York City Health Commissioner, said: “Community spread requires a community-minded solution, as the Omicron variant emerges and the overwhelmingly dominant Delta variant continues to circulate.
“We have the tools we need to protect against the virus, and now, we must ensure we use them,” she said. “There are tools each individual can use, and we can take actions as government.
“Getting vaccinated protects you, and wearing a mask is how we will better protect each other,” Dr. Bassett added. “Both vaccination and mask-wearing are needed to slow this COVID-19 winter surge.”
Hochul said a violation of any provision of the new measure is subject to a maximum fine of US$1,000 for each violation, adding that local health departments are being asked to enforce these requirements.
On December 6, New York City Mayor de Blasio announced significant expansions to the “Key to NYC” program, the first-in-nation vaccination mandate for workers and customers at indoor dining, fitness, entertainment, and performance venues.
Starting December 14, the program will require children aged 5-11 to show proof of one vaccination dose for those venues.
On December 27, New Yorkers aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of two vaccine doses, instead of one, except for those who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The mayor also announced a first-in-the-nation vaccine mandate for private-sector workers.
The mandate, which will take effect on December 27, will apply to roughly 184,000 businesses.
In addition, the mayor announced that 5-11-year-old children would be required to get vaccinated to participate in high-risk extracurricular activities.
These activities include sports, band, orchestra, and dance. This requirement for the initial vaccine dose will take effect on December 14.
“New York City will not give a single inch in the fight against COVID-19,” de Blasio said. “Vaccination is the way out of this pandemic, and these are bold, first-in-the-nation measures to encourage New Yorkers to keep themselves and their communities safe.
“From workplace mandates to US$100 incentives, to mobile and at-home vaccination offerings, no place in the nation has done more to end the COVID era,” he added. “And if you have not taken this step yet, there’s no better day than today to stand up for your city.”
De Blasio said he would issue additional enforcement and reasonable accommodation guidance on December 15, along with other resources to support small businesses with implementation.
The mayor’s expansions follow recently announced vaccination mandates for City employees, childcare providers, and non-public school employees.
He said 94 percent of the city workforce is vaccinated.
De Blasio said New York City had administered over 12.5 million vaccination doses.
He said nearly 6.5 million New Yorkers – including 89 percent of adults – have received at least one dose.
The mayor said that more than 125,000 children aged 5-11 have already received at least one dose.
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