The law provides guaranteed job protection and paid leave for New York employees who are unable to work while subject to a COVID-19 precautionary or mandatory order of quarantine. Learn more about obtaining an order of quarantine.
Self-Quarantine For Returning Travelers
Depending on your travel history, you will be asked to stay home for a period of 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread or ongoing community spread.
For Any Questions* Regarding COVID-19 in Greene County, Call (518) 635-5165 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
*Please do not call to register a complaint about violations of New York on PAUSE. Instead, please call the Greene County sheriff at 1-888-364-3065 or file a complaint with the state. Any complaints received by the EOC will be forwarded to the sheriff.
What you need to know about Prevention of the COVID-19 Coronavirus
The COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed to the most vulnerable groups first. Continue to wear a mask, avoid large groups, and follow social distancing to avoid being exposed to the virus.
CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
The Greene County Public Health Department and Emergency Operations Center is prepared to receive and distribute the mRNA vaccines to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The vaccine will be distributed to includes high-risk health care workers, nursing home residents, and staff first. Despite popular belief, the mRNA does not change your DNA or contain a live virus. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.
General Information on Masks, Gloves and Face Covering
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance. Learn more about masks, gloves, & face coverings
People at Risk for Serious Illness
Older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. Early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness.
If you are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications due to age or because you have a severe underlying medical condition, it is especially important for you to take action to reduce your risk of exposure.
Have a designated person help you stock up on supplies
Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others
When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
Avoid large crowds as much as possible
During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible
What People at Higher Risk can do to Prepare
Have supplies on hand
Contact your healthcare provider to ask about obtaining extra necessary medications to have on hand in case there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community and you need to stay home for a prolonged period of time.
If you cannot get extra medications, consider using mail-order for medications. Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (tissues, etc.) to treat fever and other symptoms. Most people will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home.
Have enough household items and groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home for a period of time.
Take everyday precautions
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Take everyday preventive actions.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks and cell phones).
Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
What to do if you are at Higher Risk and Get Sick
Stay home and call your doctor.
Call your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms. Tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help them take care of you and keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
Watch for symptoms and emergency warning signs.
• Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
• If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*:
▪ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
▪ Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
▪ New confusion or inability to arouse
▪ Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe or concerning.
Get medical attention immediately if you have any of the emergency warning signs listed above.
Senior Call-in Program
The Greene County Sheriff’s Office has implemented a Senior Call-in Program for our senior citizens that helps ensure their safety and well-being. Learn how the program works
The State Department of Financial Services will require New York State-regulated health insurers to waive cost-sharing, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, for in-network mental health services for New York’s frontline essential workers during COVID-19. DFS will also issue an emergency regulation to prohibit insurers from imposing cost-sharing for telehealth and in-person mental health services rendered by in-network providers on an outpatient basis to frontline essential workers eligible to be tested at one of the State’s drive-through or walk-in COVID-19 testing sites.
Mental Health
The state is partnering with the Kate Spade New York Foundation and Crisis Text Line to provide a 24/7 emotional support service for frontline health care workers. Those workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access these emotional support services.
