For the most part, health care providers and entities are considered essential under Governor Cuomo’s “New York State on PAUSE” Executive Order issued on Friday, March 20 in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Effective at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, all non-essential business and not-for-profits statewide were forced to close – or move 100% of its workforce to a remote environment. Essential health care and businesses may maintain a full work complement to provide necessary care and support to those in need during this state of emergency. To figure out what is essential and what is not under the Governor’s directive, you need to review – and read together - several guidance documents issued by the Department of Health and the Department of Economic Development. See our list below for further insight.
The health care industry remains on the front lines of this battle against COVID-19: caring and supporting for the state’s sick and vulnerable. We appreciate the essential and important role you play and we at Harris Beach thank you for it. For more information, including answers to questions about other areas of law, please see the Harris Beach COVID-19 response page.
Under the collective guidance, essential health care includes:
- Hospitals
- Walk-In Urgent Care clinics
- Emergency Medical Services
- Residential health care facilities, such as nursing homes
- Elder Care providers
- Mental Health and Addiction Services providers
- Senior and Assisted Care programs and services
- Home Health Care programs and services
- Service providers for those with developmental disabilities
- Research and Laboratory Services
- Physician offices
- Dental offices for emergency visits
- Human Service Providers who provide direct care for state-licensed or funded voluntary programs and state-licensed residential facilities
- Medical Supply and Equipment - Medical Wholesale, Distribution, Manufacturers and Providers
