April 9 Update

This week the New York State budget was released and contained some very good news for yeshivas and other non-public schools. Language that threatened the very viability of the Mandated Services Aid program, which is the single largest source of funding for nonpublic schools, was removed and other important funding was retained. This was after intense advocacy by Agudath Israel and others over the last three months as previously reported. For more details on the budget and Agudah’s role please click here.

As of Tuesday April 6, all New Yorkers age 16 and up are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines. New Yorkers can schedule an appointment through the Am I Eligible tool or by calling the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). For the New York City Vaccine Portal please click here.

The New York State Department of Financial Services has extended the emergency regulation requiring all regulated health insurers to waive co-pays for the COVID-19 vaccine until April 30. The extension of this regulation and guidance will help to ensure there are no barriers to New Yorkers accessing the vaccine as the State continues to implement its vaccine administration plan and get every New Yorker vaccinated. The vaccine will come at no cost to any New Yorker.

As of the end of last month, New York nursing homes can welcome visitors with limited exceptions under new state guidance released at the time.

This policy limits indoor visitation for: unvaccinated residents if the nursing home’s Covid-19 positivity rate exceeds 10 percent and less than 70 percent of residents are fully vaccinated; residents with confirmed Covid-19 infections; or residents in quarantine. Compassionate care visits are exempt from the restrictions.

Nursing home operators must align their policies with federal guidance, which allows for outdoor and indoor visitation “at all times for all residents” regardless of vaccination status, except in certain cases where risk of Covid-19 transmission is high.

Updated Travel Advisories

As of April 1st, domestic travelers are no longer required to quarantine after entering New York from another U.S. State or U.S. Territory. While no longer required, the NYS Department of Health still recommends quarantine after domestic travel as an added precaution. Mandatory quarantine remains in effect for international travelers. All travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form. For full details please click here.