Wearing Masks Saves Lives
Yesterday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo urged New Yorkers to wear their masks in public out of respect for the nurses and doctors who are fighting to save lives and for the essential workers who continue showing up to work amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“When you wear a mask, you say, I respect you. That’s what the mask says to everyone you walk past. I respect you. I respect you. I respect your health, I respect your privacy, I respect your space, I respect you. I can do anything I want with myself. This is America. But I respect you. And out of respect for you, I wear this mask.”
Please click here to watch his remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjLTHknqjqY&feature=youtu.be
Who Is That Masked Person?
That’s RIOC President Susan Rosenthal wearing her mask. You should wear yours, too. She misses everyone on Roosevelt Island and cannot wait to come back to work as soon as possible.
NY Forward
Governor Cuomo outlined a plan to reopen New York State. Our plan focuses on getting people back to work and easing social isolation without triggering renewed spread of the virus or overwhelming the hospital system. New York will reopen on a regional basis as each region meets the criteria necessary to protect public health as businesses reopen. New York State remains on PAUSE through May 15.
Please visit the NY Forward site to keep track of the metrics used when various regions around New York prepare to open.https://forward.ny.gov
RIOC Re-opening
As various state operations begin to open throughout the state on and after May 15th, non-essential RIOC personnel will continue to work remotely until further notice. We are in the process of putting a plan in place that will allow our employees to return to work safely. We will keep you informed of our progress.
Ballfields and Playgrounds Remain Closed Until Further Notice
Although some state facilities around New York will begin opening over the coming days, we will continue to keep our ballfields and playgrounds closed in order to enforce social distancing practices regarding team sport activities. We are working on a safety plan to reopen some facilities. We will keep you informed of our progress in the coming days.
Farmers Market Resumes This Saturday
We are happy to report that the Farmers Market will resume this Saturday in Good Shepherd Plaza from 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Please click here for more information. https://rioc.ny.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=284. Please note there will be no food scrap collection until further notice.
Transportation Updates
- Red Buses will continue to run on a Weekend Schedule until further notice.
- The Roosevelt Island Tramway will be closed from 1:00 AM until 6:00 AM to ensure that disinfecting measures can be performed. Regular tram service will resume at 6:00 AM each day and continue until 1:00 AM the following morning. These early morning closures will continue each day until further notice.
- NYC Ferry - https://www.ferry.nyc/ – check for changes
- MTA - https://new.mta.info/ – check for changes