Aug. 30, 12 p.m. SUNY Oneonta will close for two weeks as more than 100 positive cases have been reported on campus, according to SUNY and New York state officials. On a conference call with the media Sunday morning, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said several large parties were held last week, and after some students were symptomatic, SUNY Upstate Medical Center came in to provide testing to all students on campus over this weekend. Malatras said 105 positive cases of the virus have been reported as of Sunday morning, or about 3% of the campus community. The campus will now close for instruction for two weeks while the situations is evaluated.

Aug. 30, 10:45 a.m. A player who tested positive for COVID-19 has withdrawn from the U.S. Open tournament, according to the U.S. Tennis Association. In a statement, the USTA said the player is asymptomatic but had a confirmed positive test result. The player is isolating for at least 10 days and contact tracing is underway to determine if anyone with whom the player had contact must quarantine.

Aug. 27, 11:43 a.m. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is setting parameters for colleges opening in New York. He says if a campus has 100 COVID-19 cases, or a number that is equal to 5% of the student/faculty population – that institution must close for two weeks and go directly to remote learning. The situation would then be reassessed in consultation with local health department.

Aug. 27, 8:30 a.m. Just over 1 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, a sign that the coronavirus outbreak continues to threaten jobs even as the housing market, auto sales and other segments of the economy rebound from a springtime collapse.

Aug. 25, 4 p.m. Scientists claim to have the first evidence of someone being reinfected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Genetic tests revealed that a 33-year-old man returning to Hong Kong from a trip to Spain had a different strain of the coronavirus than the one he'd previously been infected with.

Aug. 25, 11:45 a.m. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that five states have been removed from New York's COVID-19 travel advisory. The states include Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Maryland and Montana.

Aug. 24, 7:50 p.m. FEMA has approved Connecticut for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program, allowing the state to provide an extra $300 a week, on top of unemployment benefits, to those unemployed due to the pandemic.

Aug. 24, 12:15 p.m. On youth sports, Gov. Cuomo says schools must follow guidance issued by the NY Dept. of Health. He announces no travel practice or play will be permitted outside of a school's region or contiguous regions/counties until Oct. 19. Cuomo says low-risk sports including tennis, soccer, cross-country, swimming and field hockey may begin practice and play on Sept. 21 in all NY regions. He says higher-risk sports with full physical contact, including tackle football, wrestling, rugby, and ice hockey may continue to practice -- but are not authorized to play at this time.

Aug. 24, 11:45 a.m. New COVID-19 testing sites will be set up at JFK and LaGuardia airports for incoming passengers, Gov. Cuomo says. 

Aug. 23, 5:30 p.m. President Trump says the federal government has granted emergency authorization for treating COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma. While Trump is calling the move “a breakthrough" and one of his top health officials says it is “promising,” other health experts say the therapeutic needs more study before it can be celebrated. The blood plasma is taken from patients who have recovered from the coronavirus and is rich in antibodies. It may provide benefits to those battling the disease, but the evidence has been inconclusive as to how it works or how best to administer it.

Aug. 21, 9 p.m. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has issued a "COVID-19 alert" for the city of Danbury due to a "significant spike" in new cases and is urging city residents to stay home if possible. The department said in a news release Friday night that it has seen a "a significant increase in cases in the last two weeks, with much of the outbreak related to recent domestic and international travel." Danbury residents are advised to avoid unnecessary outings and to limit indoor gatherings to only those you live with. They are also advised to refrain from attending large church services or outdoor gatherings. 

Aug. 21, 11:20 a.m. The 74th annual Tony Awards will take place digitally this fall. Final eligibility determinations will be made by the Tony Awards Administration Committee in the coming days. Additional information, including a date and platform for the awards ceremony, will be announced soon.

Aug. 20, 8:30 a.m. About 1.1 million laid-off workers sought US jobless aid last week as layoffs remain elevated in the face of virus, the Labor Department says.

Aug. 18, 11:30 a.m. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces that two additional states meet the metrics to qualify for the travel advisory requiring individuals who have traveled to New York from those states to quarantine for 14 days. The newly-added states are Alaska and Delaware. No areas have been removed.

Aug. 17, 11:45 a.m. Gov. Cuomo says NY gyms can open as soon as Aug. 24 at 33% capacity with mandated face coverings and ventilation requirements. Localities must inspect the facilities.

Aug. 15, 3:50 p.m. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that New York state will provide health personnel to allow the annual tribute to Sept. 11 victims to "happen safely." The 9/11 Memorial and Museum had previously said the event would be canceled due to health and safety concerns amid the pandemic.

Aug. 15, 1 p.m. Two Connecticut parents filed an appeal in state court challenging a Department of Education requirement that students returning to classrooms this fall wear face masks. The appeal filed Friday in Superior Court in New Britain seeks to have the department rescind the requirement to wear face coverings and to issue an order stating that neither the department nor local school districts can impose such a requirement.

Aug. 15, 12 p.m. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in New York state dropped for a third straight day. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there were 523 reported hospitalizations Friday, a decrease of 31 from the previous day and the lowest total since March 17

Aug. 15, 10 a.m. Plans are back on to beam twin columns of light into the Manhattan sky to represent the World Trade Center during next month’s anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced Friday that it is working on plans to shine the twin beams during its alternative 9/11 ceremony.

Aug. 13, 9:20 p.m. The 9/11 Tribute in Light show - twin beams of light representing the World Trade Center towers - won't be beamed into the sky during this year's memorial of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, organizers of the annual ceremony said Thursday. Michael Frazier, a spokesman for National September 11 Memorial & Museum, said organizers were concerned about the health risks to workers who would set up the display.

Aug. 13, 8:30 a.m. Labor Department says 963,000 workers sought US jobless aid last week as layoffs fall below 1 million for first time in 5 months.

Aug. 12, 2 p.m.  The West Indian American Day Carnival is going virtual. The International YOUTH FEST 2020 will be held on Aug. 28 from 6:00 p.m.  The NY Carnival BRASS FEST will be held Sept. 4 from 8:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m. New York Carnival ‘ONE LOVE’ VIRTUAL ROAD will be held on Sept. 7 from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. PANOLOGY will be held Sept. 26 from 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Visit the website for more information.

Aug. 11, 3:30 p.m. The Big Ten won't be playing football this fall because of concerns about COVID-19. The move comes six day after the conference that includes historic programs such as Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska and Penn State had released a revised conference-only schedule that it hoped would help it navigate a fall season with potential COVID-19 disruptions.

Aug. 11, 11:20 a.m. New York and Connecticut governors announce that individuals traveling from Hawaii, South Dakota and Virgin Islands to tri-state will be required to quarantine for 14 days; 4 states removed from list.

Aug. 10, 8:30 p.m. The confirmed number of coronavirus cases in the world has reached 20 million, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. Health officials believe the actual number is much higher, given testing limitations and the fact that as many as 40% of all those who are infected have no symptoms. 

Aug. 9, 10 a.m. The confirmed number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. has reached 5 million, by far the highest in the world. That’s according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. However, health officials believe that for every reported case, there are roughly 10 times as many people infected. The milestone was reached as new cases run at about 54,000 a day. While that’s down from a peak of well over 70,000 in the second half of July, cases are rising in nearly 20 states, and deaths are climbing in most.

Aug. 8, 5 p.m.  President Trump has signed executive orders deferring payroll taxes for some Americans and extending unemployment benefits, but at a lower weekly amount, after negotiations on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed. Trump accused Democrats of loading up their rescue bill with things unrelated to the coronavirus. In addition to deferring payroll taxes for those earning less than $100,000 a year and providing $400 a week in extra benefits for the unemployed, he also put a hold on student loan payments and extended a moratorium on evictions.

Aug. 8, 2:30 p.m. Evictions are still on hold in New York courts as housing advocates worry about the fate of an estimated 14,000 renters who faced eviction before the state's COVID-19 emergency. Courts spokeswoman Lucian Chalfen says that the state's stay of evictions is still in effect through a March 16 order signed by the state's chief administrative judge. The announcement comes as housing advocates including The Legal Aid Society hope New York courts will heed Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s call for “no evictions” amid the pandemic.

Aug. 7, 11:45 a.m. Gov. Cuomo says all schools in the state can open. The decision is based on New York's low COVID-19 infection rate. He says the state will watch the infection rate and if there is a spike, they will revisit. The governor says schools should post remote learning plans, have a clear plan for COVID-19 testing for students and teachers, and have a plan for contact tracing. He says schools should also hold at least three listening sessions for parents before school begins in the fall.

Aug. 7, 7:30 a.m. Officials cancel September's Hudson Valley Wine and Food Festival due to coronavirus concerns.

Aug. 6, 10 p.m. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday after testing positive earlier in the day before he was to meet with President Donald Trump, according to a statement from his office.

 

Aug. 6, 1 p.m. Ohio's governor has tested positive for the coronavirus just ahead of a planned meeting with President Donald Trump. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine's office said he took the test as part of standard protocol before meeting Trump at an airport in Cleveland. He had planned to join the president on a visit to the Whirlpool Corp. plant in northwest Ohio.

Aug. 6, 8:30 a.m. About 1.2 million laid-off workers sought US jobless aid last week as layoffs remain elevated amid resurgence of virus, Labor Department says.

Aug. 4, 11:30 a.m. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept his party’s White House nomination because of concerns over the coronavirus.

Aug. 4, 10:30 a.m. Starting today, New York City will implement COVID-19 checkpoints at key entry points into the city, Mayor Bill de Blasio said during his briefing this morning. These checkpoints will vary daily.

Aug 3, 1:09 p.m. Gov. Phil Murphy says New Jersey is retightening the restriction on indoor gatherings. Indoor gatherings will be limited to 25% of a room’s capacity – with a maximum of 25 persons, down from 100.

 

Aug 2, 12:45 p.m. White House coronavirus task force leader Dr. Deborah Birx says widespread coronavirus infections in urban and rural America mark a “new phase” for the pandemic as she doubled down on calls to wear face masks and observe social distancing measures.

July 30, 11:45 a.m. Gov. Cuomo says vote on $3 billion Environmental Bond Act is being delayed 1 year, citing ‘unstable’ financial situation.

 July 30, 10:50 a.m. Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain has passed away after a battle with COVID-19, according to a tweet from his official Twitter account and blog post on his website. 

July 30, 8:30 a.m. US economy shrank at a record-breaking 33% rate last quarter as virus shuttered businesses and triggered layoffs.

July 29, 4:15 p.m. Confirmed deaths from the coronavirus in the U.S. have hit 150,000, by far the highest toll in the world, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

July 28, 3 p.m. Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico were added to the tri-state travel advisory list.

July 27, 7:30 p.m. The coronavirus is pushing already hungry communities over the edge, killing an estimated 10,000 more young children a month as meager farms are cut off from markets and villages are isolated from food and medical aid, the United Nations warned Monday.

July 27, 6 p.m. Final-stage testing of a vaccine developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., began with 30,000 volunteers at numerous sites around the U.S. given either a real dose or a dummy without being told which.

July 27, 3:45 p.m. A report from the Labor Department's inspector general says nearly 3,000 federal workers have filed compensation claims for contracting COVID-19 on the job. And that number is expected to double by early next month. Through mid-June, families of 48 federal workers also had filed death claims. The report only reflects the number of federal workers or their families who filed claims by June 16 - not the number who have contracted the coronavirus or died from it. 

July 27, 3:30 p.m. Two Major League Baseball games scheduled for Monday night were postponed after more than a dozen Miami Marlins players and staff members tested positive for the coronavirus in an outbreak that stranded the team in Philadelphia.?? The Marlins’ home opener against Baltimore was called off, as was the New York Yankees’ game at Philadelphia. The Yankees would have been in the same clubhouse the Marlins used last weekend.?? Nine Marlins players on the 30-man roster, two taxi squad players and two staff members tested positive, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the results hadn’t been publicly disclosed.

July 23, 5:30 p.m. President Donald Trump says he’s canceling the Jacksonville, Florida, component of the Republican National Convention due to COVID-19 concerns.

July 23, 8:30 a.m. About 1.4 million people sought US jobless aid last week, first increase since March, as layoffs remain high amid resurgence of virus, Labor Department says.

July 22, 11:49: On a conference call, Gov. Cuomo applauded President Trump for urging Americans to wear a mask in public. He says the president should take the extra step to order a federal mandate for mask wearing. "Just by signing a piece of paper, the president can save 40,000 lives."

July 21, 5:44 p.m. President Trump gave his first COVID-19 briefing since April and said the pandemic situation will probably "get worse before it gets better." He also discussed the use of face masks. "Get a mask, whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact," said Trump. "And we need everything we can get." Trump said getting a vaccine is a "top priority" and that the U.S. is mass producing the best candidates so the military can distribute it in "record time." Trump also acknowledged a "concerning rise" in COVID-19 cases in southern states. He referred to the virus several times as the "China virus."

July 21, 1:15 p.m. Hackers working with the Chinese government targeted firms developing vaccines for the coronavirus and stole hundreds of millions of dollars worth of intellectual property and trade secrets from companies across the world, the Justice Department.

July 21, 12:34 p.m. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says 10 states (Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia and Washington) have been added to the quarantine list for travelers. Minnesota was taken off the list.

July 21, 12 p.m. 3 bars in Queens and a gentleman's club on Long Island have had their liquor licenses suspended for COVID-19 violations.

July 21, 11:45 a.m. Florida's coronavirus death rate is now higher than any other state. Florida recorded another 134 deaths Tuesday, bringing its daily average for the past week to 115.

July 20, 7 p.m. President Trump will bring back his COVID-19 briefings starting Tuesday after discontinuing them in April. He also signaled a change in communication about masks by posting a picture of himself masked up on Twitter, writing that "many people say it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can't socially distance."

July 20, 5:05 p.m. Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday that anyone who fails to quarantine or fill out a travel health form when traveling to Connecticut from states impacted by COVID-19 will be subject to a $1,000 fine.

July 20, 12:22 p.m. Gov. Phil Murphy says New Jersey will release guidance this week allowing for parents to choose all-remote learning for their children.

July 20, 11 a.m. Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged local governments and police departments to enforce the law when it comes to young people congregating at bars and restaurants. He said that the state will roll back bars and restaurant openings if law enforcement doesn’t step in to enforce social distancing and COVID-19 protocols. 

July 20, 9 a.m. Phase four of New York’s reopening plan takes effect today in New York City.

July 17, 4 p.m. Gov. Cuomo said New York City will enter phase four on Monday - meaning all regions of the state will be in the final phase of reopening.

July 17, 7 a.m. The Empire State Building is reopening it’s world-famous Observatory on Monday, July 20.

 

July 16, 3 p.m. The New York State high school sports fall season will be delayed, and fall sports championships are canceled, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced Thursday.

July 16, 12:30 p.m. Target is joining the list of the nation’s largest retailers that will require customers to wear masks as cases of COVID-19 spike. The policy will go into effect Aug. 1. More than 80% of Target’s 1,800 stores already require customers to wear masks due to local and state regulations. 

July 16, 11:58 a.m. Gov. Cuomo announces "3 strikes" policy for NYC bars and restaurants who fail to enforce social distancing measures. Those with three or more violations will be shut down. Also, alcohol to only be served to customers who order food at bars and restaurants statewide.

July 16, 9:18 a.m. Britain, the United States and Canada say Russia is trying to steal information from researchers seeking a COVID-19 vaccine.

July 16, 8:30 a.m. More than 1.3 million laid-off workers sought unemployment benefits last week amid resurgent viral outbreak, Labor Department says.

 

July 16, 8 a.m. The 2021 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California has been canceled for first time in 75 years due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

July 15, 12:27 p.m. The National Park Service announced that Liberty and Ellis islands will partially reopen on July 20 with modified operations. The first phase of the reopening will include access to the grounds of the islands, as well as the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. 

July 15, 11:28 p.m. Walmart will require customers to wear face coverings at all of its namesake and Sam's Club stores, making it the largest retailer to introduce such a policy that has otherwise proven difficult to enforce without state and federal requirements. The company said the policy will go into effect on Monday to allow time to inform stores and customers. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company said that currently about 65% its more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is already some form of government mandate on face coverings.

 

July 14, 6 p.m. The first COVID-19 vaccine tested in the U.S. revved up people's immune systems just the way scientists had hoped, researchers reported Tuesday -- as the shots are poised to begin key final testing."No matter how you slice this, this is good news," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's top infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press.

July 14, 1 p.m. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced today that four additional states meet the metrics to qualify for the travel advisory requiring individuals who travel to the tri-state area to quarantine for 14 days. The newly added states are Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio and Wisconsin. Delaware has been removed. The list now includes a total of 22 states.

July 13, 3:28 p.m. Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets says he has tested positive for coronavirus.

July 13, 1 p.m. As virus cases spike in other states, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says travelers arriving at New York airports will be ordered to fill out contact forms before leaving or risk facing a summons and $2,000 fine. Cuomo also outlined the formula that New York will use in August to determine whether schools can reopen.

July 12, 8 p.m. Florida topped the national record for a state’s largest single-day increase in new confirmed cases with a reported 15,299.

July 9, 6 p.m. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that large events requiring a New York City events permit will be canceled through Sept. 30. 

July 9, 8:30 a.m. About 1.3 million workers sought US jobless aid last week as layoffs remain historically high amid spike in coronavirus cases, the Labor Department says.

July 8, 12:30 p.m. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says a decision on reopening schools will be announced in the first week of August. He also said malls can reopen Friday if they have installed the proper air filtration system.

July 8, 12 p.m. Gov. Phil Murphy says masks are now required at all times outdoors if social distancing is not possible.

July 8, 10 a.m. President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding if schools don’t reopen in the fall, and he lashed out at federal health officials over school reopening guidelines that he says are impractical and expensive.

July 8, 8 a.m. An updated model from the University of Michigan predicts more than 208,000 Americans will die from the virus by Nov. 1.

July 7, 5:53 p.m. The Trump administration has formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization.The pullout won't take effect until a year from now, meaning it could be rescinded under a new administration or if circumstances change.

July 7, 5:22 p.m. President Donald Trump says he will pressure governors to reopen schools and colleges this fall, arguing that some want to keep schools closed for political reasons against the will of families.Trump said he is "very much gong to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools.” Trump did not immediately explain how he would pressure governors, but he repeated an earlier claim that Democrats want to keep schools closed for political reasons and not health reasons.Trump held a meeting at the White House Tuesday as part of an all-out effort to get the nation’s schools to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.

July 7, 4:31 p.m. In a tweet, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont says, "For the 1st time since March, there are no COVID-related deaths to report today."

 

July 7, 4:30 p.m. Joe Biden is promising to shift production of medical equipment and other key pandemic-fighting products "back to U.S. soil," creating jobs and bolstering a domestic supply chain he says has been exposed as inadequate and vulnerable by the coronavirus outbreak.

July 7, 12:30 p.m. Connecticut, New Jersey and New York have added three more states to the quarantine list for travelers: Delaware, Kansas and Oklahoma. That brings the total number to 19 states.

July 6, 6:40 p.m. Gov. Phil Murphy says the rate of transmission of COVID-19 in New Jersey has exceeded 1.0 for the first time in a month and a half. Murphy says that the increase has him mulling a mandate for people to wear face coverings outside of their homes.

July 6, 5 p.m. Gov. Ned Lamont says phase 3 reopening has been put on pause in Connecticut due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 cases across the country. It was supposed to start July 20.

July 6, 12 p.m. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says no decision has been made yet on reopening New York schools. "We're not going to say children should go back to school until we know it's safe," the governor says.

July 6, 11:40 a.m. New York State Fair, in Syracuse, has been canceled this summer due to COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces.

July 5, 1:45 p.m. The operators of three Montauk establishments are facing charges following COVID-19 safety inspections, officials with East Hampton town announced Sunday.

July 5, 9 a.m. Tattoo parlors and other personal care businesses like nail salons will be allowed to welcome customers in New York City starting Monday, as it enters Phase 3 of reopening. The rest of the state's regions have already moved into Phase 3. New York City will still be more limited, as officials decided last week to hold off on allowing indoor dining indefinitely out of concerns that it would cause a spike in new coronavirus cases. Outdoor dining is in effect.

July 2, 8:30 a.m.  Unemployment fell to 11.1% as U.S. added a record 4.8 million jobs in June, but pandemic dims outlook for further gains.

July 1, 12:30 p.m. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that testing capacity in the state has expanded to the point that every New Yorker can now get a test. The governor also said that indoor dining will be postponed in New York City in phase three until COVID-19 cases in the U.S. begin to fall.

June 30, 12 p.m. New York, Connecticut and New Jersey expanded their travel advisories to include mandatory quarantines for travelers from eight more states. Travelers from California, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and Tennessee are being told to self-quarantine for 14 days once arriving in the tri-state area.

June 30, 10:15 a.m. Playland amusement park in Rye, New York to remain closed for 2020 season due to coronavirus pandemic.

June 29, 8:45 p.m. Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie says he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Dinwiddie told The Athletic he is experiencing symptoms and it is unclear if he can play when the NBA season resumes.

June 29, 5 p.m. Gov. Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona announced new guidelines for students returning to school in Connecticut this fall. The plan is called Adapt, Advance, Achieve and is based on six guiding principles:

- Safeguarding the health and safety of students and staff
- Allowing all students to return to class full time in the fall
- Monitoring the school populations and if necessary, cancelling classes to contain COVID-19 spread
- Emphasizing equity, access and support to the students who are emerging from this disruption
- Fostering strong two-way communication with families, educators and staff
- Factoring into decisions about reopening the challenges to the physical safety and social-emotional well-being of students when they are not in school

June 29, 2:40 p.m. Gov. Phil Murphy put a pause on indoor dining, which was supposed to resume in New Jersey Thursday. No new date has been set.

June 29, 1 p.m. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says NYC faces 'complications' heading toward phase three next Monday, including a lack of compliance with social distancing and spiking cases in other states.

June 29, 12 p.m. The shutdown of Broadway has been extended until at least early January.

June 28, 12:40 p.m. NY Waterway will resume modified service on several routes Monday, June 29, starting at 6 a.m., including Port Imperial in Weehawken and West 39 Street in Manhattan. Ferries depart Port Imperial every 20 minutes, starting at 6 a.m., and arrive at West 39 Street eight minutes later.  At West 39 Street, free NY Waterway buses are waiting to take passengers on two route: East on 42 Street and returning to the terminal on 34 Street; and East on 50 Street and returning to the terminal on 57 Street. All ferries and buses will operate at 50 percent capacity, with seats clearly marked to help passengers maintain social distance -- and all passengers must wear masks. 

June 28, 10:30 a.m. New York on Sunday reported its lowest daily death toll since the coronavirus crisis began. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state saw only five COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours.

 

June 26, 1:45 p.m. The White House Coronavirus Task Force delivered its first briefing since April to address the spike in cases in the South.

June 26, 1:16 p.m. Gov. Phil Murphy, along with state officials, has released detailed guidance on the 2020-2021 school year in New Jersey. The guidance includes public schools opening for in-person instruction and operations.

June 26, 11:15 a.m. Microsoft says it's permanently closing nearly all of its physical stores around the world. Like other retailers, the software and computing giant had to temporarily close all of its stores in late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Microsoft has 83 stores, including 72 stores in the U.S., where it showcases and sells laptops and other hardware. Friday’s announcement reflects what the company calls a “strategic change” for its retail business as sales increasingly shift online.

June 26, 11 a.m. Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas ordered the closing of all bars in the biggest retreat yet by any state as the number of confirmed new coronavirus cases per day in the U.S. has hit an all-time high of 40,000, eclipsing the mark set during the deadliest stretch in late April. While the increase is believed to reflect, in part, greatly expanded testing, experts say there is ample evidence the virus is making a comeback, including rising deaths and hospitalizations in parts of the country, especially in the South and West. 

June 25, 4:45 p.m. Gov. Ned Lamont and Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona said schools in Connecticut should expect for a full reopening in the fall.

June 25, 4 p.m. Gov. Phil Murphy says that he will release guidance on the reopening of New Jersey’s schools at his daily COVID-19 briefing on Friday.

June 25, 12:11 p.m. A government watchdog says nearly 1.1 million relief payments totaling some $1.4 billion went to dead people in the government’s coronavirus aid program. More than 130 million so-called economic impact payments were sent to taxpayers as part of the $2.4 trillion coronavirus relief package enacted in March. The Government Accountability Office, Congress’ auditing arm, cited the number of erroneous payments to deceased taxpayers in a report published Thursday on the government programs. The IRS asked in May for the money back from the deceased taxpayers’ survivors. Some legal experts have said the government may not have the legal authority to require that it be returned.

June 25, 11 a.m. Mayor Bill de Blasio says New York City is expected to enter phase three of reopening on July 6.

 

June 22, 3:35 p.m. Saudi Arabia says only “very limited numbers” of people will be allowed to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage that traditionally draws around 2 million people from around the world. 

June 22, 11:45 a.m.  New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says Atlantic City’s casinos will be able to reopen July 2 at 25% capacity. In a Twitter post Monday, the governor also said indoor dining can resume in the state on that date, with restaurants also operating at 25% capacity.

June 21, 9 a.m.  Comedian D.L. Hughley announced he tested positive for COVID-19 after collapsing onstage during a performance in Nashville, Tennessee. The stand-up comedian, 57, lost consciousness while performing at the Zanies comedy nightclub on Friday night and was hospitalized, news outlets reported. On Saturday, Hughley posted a video on Twitter in which he said he was treated for exhaustion and dehydration afterward.

June 16, 12:17 p.m. Canada and the US have agreed to extend the agreement closing the border to nonessential travel until July 21.

June 10, 9 a.m. Long Island has entered Phase 2 of reopening, meaning outdoor dining at restaurants, hair salons, barbershops, in-person retail, real estate agencies and office-based businesses are able to open again. 

June 1, 7:30 p.m. The Congressional Budget Office said Monday that the U.S. economy could be $15.7 trillion smaller over the next decade than it otherwise would have been due to the adverse effects of the coronavirus on economic growth if Congress does not mitigate the damage.

 May 28, 8:30 a.m. The Labor Department says roughly 2.1 million people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week. About 41 million people have now applied for aid since the virus outbreak intensified in March.

May 24, 5:45 p.m. The White House announced a ban on travel to the U.S. from Brazil due to the spread of coronavirus in Latin America’s hardest-hit country. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement Sunday evening that the ban applies to foreign nationals who have been in Brazil in the 14 days before they sought to travel to the United States.

May 23, 5 p.m. New Jersey health officials say the number of deaths associated with the coronavirus in the state now tops 11,000.

May 22, 7:30 p.m. Former Knicks star and current Georgetown University coach Patrick Ewing announced he has tested positive for COVID-19.

May 22, 6 a.m. The NHL Players' Association's executive board is voting on a 24-team playoff proposal as the return to play format, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Results of the vote could be in as soon as Friday night.

May 21, 5:30 p.m. Puerto Rico will cautiously reopen beaches, restaurants, churches, malls and hair salons next week under strict new rules as the U.S. territory emerges from a two-month lockdown that stifled business activity on an island already beset with economic woes.

May 21, 4:30 p.m. A Georgia man is facing charges after police say he lied to his employer about testing positive for COVID-19. Prosecutors said that because Davis said he’d tested positive, his employer had to shut down the company’s plant for sanitizing and put several other employees on paid leave while they quarantined, causing the company a loss of more than $100,000.

May 21, 4 p.m. Nearly 2,000 Floridians will have to be retested for the virus after their tests were damaged while in transport to a lab.

May 21, 2:30 p.m. Guatemala’s president openly questioned his country’s relationship with the U.S. after frustrations involving America’s continued sending of COVID-19 infected deportees to his country.

May 21, 8:30 a.m. According to the Labor Department, 2.4 million workers sought jobless aid last week, raising total layoffs since virus struck to nearly 39 million.

May 20, 6:45 p.m. Gov. Ned Lamont signs executive order allowing all registered voters in Connecticut to vote absentee during the Aug. 11 primaries.

May 20, 4:25 p.m. Gov. Ned Lamont announced that the next phase of reopening for the state will begin approximately on June 20.

May 20, 3:45 p.m. AP poll finds that 83% of Americans are at least somewhat concerned that lifting restrictions will lead to additional infections. 69% of people in favor of stay-at-home orders, down from 80% last month.

May 20, 2 p.m. County Executive Bellone says the Suffolk's Municipal Finance Working Group unanimously approved a plan that provides temporary property tax relief to property taxpayers.

May 20, 12 p.m. New York will allow small religious gatherings starting Thursday as the state gradually loosens restrictions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says.

May 20, 11 a.m. Oprah Winfrey is giving grants to the cities she's lived in -- Chicago, Baltimore, Nashville, Milwaukee and Kosciusko, Mississippi -- through her charitable foundation. The money will come through her $12 million coronavirus relief fund.

May 20,  10 a.m. Gov. Phil Murphy says that positive COVID-19 cases in NJ surpass 150K; 168 additional deaths reported

May 19, 6 p.m. Pier One has announced it will go out of business and close all of its 540 stores. The Texas-based company said it couldn't find a buyer after filing for bankruptcy protection this year.

May 19, 1:30 p.m. Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport announces its official reopening date will be on Monday, June 1.

May 19, 11:56 a.m. The Belmont Stakes will be run June 20 without fans and serve as the opening leg of horse racing's Triple Crown for the first time in the sport's history.

May 19, 10 a.m. A federal appeals court gave the green light Tuesday to New York state’s June 23 Democratic presidential primary. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court judge who ruled two weeks ago that the primary must include the contest over the state’s objections.

May 18, 9:15 p.m. Gov. Ned Lamont has announced that gyms, bars, indoor dining, movie theaters and off-track betting facilities will be closed until June 20 as Connecticut prepares to begin reopening on May 20.

May 18, 6 p.m. President Trump says he is taking a malaria drug to lessen symptoms should he get the new coronavirus, even though the drug is unproven for fighting COVID-19. Trump told reporters Monday that he has been taking the drug, hydroxychloroquine, and a zinc supplement “for about a week and a half now.” Trump spent weeks pushing the drug as a potential cure for COVID-19 against the cautionary advice of many of his administration’s top medical professionals. 

May 18, 1:45 p.m. A Massachusetts company says its experimental vaccine against the coronavirus showed encouraging results in very early testing. Cambridge-based Moderna Inc. said Monday that its vaccine triggered immune responses in eight healthy, middle-aged volunteers. In the next phase, researchers will try to determine which dose is best for a definitive experiment that they aim to start in July. 

May 18, 1:30 p.m. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announces that hair salons and barbershops will not open on May 20, as previously announced as part of phase one of reopening. Instead they will open in June.

May 18, 12 p.m. New York Gov. Cuomo says he's encouraging major sports teams to plan on reopening without fans in the stands, with televised events. 

May 17, 4:15 p.m. One of President Donald Trump’s top economic advisers is criticizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s early response to the coronavirus outbreak, saying it “let the country down” after initial delays with testing. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro declined to say when asked Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” whether Trump had confidence in the CDC to lead the U.S. pandemic response, saying that was a question for the president. But Navarro says the CDC “set us back” in the early weeks of the outbreak.

May 17, 1 p.m. All New Yorkers experiencing flu-like symptoms or other coronavirus signs, such as dry cough or chest pains, are now eligible to be tested, along with people who returning to work as part of phased reopenings, Gov. Cuomo said Sunday. The mayor said New York is not using the full testing capacity that it had ramped up to create, and cited the importance of widespread testing in the state's effort to reopen. To demonstrate that the test is easy and painless, a doctor performed a nasal swab COVID-19 test on the governor at his daily press briefing.

May 17, 10 a.m. Mayor Bill de Blasio says New York City's beaches will remain closed for Memorial Day weekend, despite some other tri-state beaches reopening. "We're not ready yet," the mayor said at a Sunday morning press briefing.