YVETTE M.

AGUIAR Town of Riverhead Tel: (631) 727-3200 / Fax: (631) 727-6712

Town Supervisor 200 Howell Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901 www.townofriverheadny.gov

RIVERHEAD COVID-19 UPDATE - March 23, 2020

Town of Riverhead
Supervisor Yvette M. Aguiar

March 23, 2020 – 5:00pm

Riverhead Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory

As of last night, the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have risen to 26 in Riverhead
Township. The State of Emergency issued for the Town has been extended. Town Hall is
closed. Correspondence with the Town departments will continue through US mail and e-mail.
All calls to Town Departments will be answered and prioritized. Please call 631-727-3200 ext.
0.

Only departments that provide essential services, such as Water, Senior Center, Sewer and
Sanitation will remain open. However, these departments are not open to the public. The Police
Department will remain open and the Justice Court is closed. If you find a need to visit Police
Headquarters for a non-emergency, please call 631-727-4500 ext. 312 prior to arrival. Most
police reporting can be addressed through telephone. In an emergency dial 911.

DMV

 All New York State Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices are closed beginning today, Monday,
March 23, 2020
 All scheduled road tests are suspended
 Expirations of driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations set to expire on or after March 1, 2020 will be
extended consistent with the current Executive Order issued by the Governor
 All traffic hearings at the Traffic Violation Bureaus are postponed
 Customers are encouraged to visit www.dmv.ny.gov to complete common transactions online

TRANSIT POLICIES
  Suffolk Fast Fare Mobile App may be downloaded for purchase of e-tickets on all Suffolk County
Transit busses
 Buses must be boarded via the rear door only
 Use social distancing

NEW YORK STATE on PAUSE PLAN

 Per Executive Order from the Governor, all non-essential gatherings of any size for any reason are
prohibited
 100% of the non-essential workforce must stay home as of 8pm on Sunday, March 22
 Pharmacy and grocery store employees, health care workers, first responders and others who are critical
to keeping our essential support operations are excluded
 Information about what businesses are deemed essential can be found at:
https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
 Businesses can apply for “essential” status with the NYS Empire Development Corp via the below link:
https://esd.ny.gov/sites/default/files/Request%20for%20Designation
 Local business owners are encouraged to connect with the Suffolk County Business Recovery Unit by
calling 311 and once prompted, pressing 2 to be transferred to the team or by visiting
www.suffolkcountyny.gov/bru or emailing Business.Recovery@suffolkcountyny.gov.
 Outdoor exercise such as riding a bike or walking through a park is permitted and encouraged, so long
as it is limited to non-contact and a social distance of at least six feet
 New York State has implemented a 90-day moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial
tenants
 New York State announced the Department of Financial Services directed New York State mortgage
servicers to provide 90-day mortgage relief to mortgage borrowers impacted by the novel coronavirus.
This directive includes:
o Waiving mortgage payments based on financial hardship;
o No negative reporting to credit bureaus;
o Grace period for loan modification;
o No late payment fees or online payment fees; and
o Postponing or suspending foreclosures.
 In addition, New York State is awaiting a decision by the Department of Financial Services about
whether they will temporarily suspend ATM fees, late fees, overdraft fees and fees for credit cards

UNEMPLOYMENT

 To file a claim, visit: https://applications.labor.ny.gov/IndividualReg/

 New York State Department of Labor is issuing an enhanced filing system based on the first letter of the
applicant’s first name (alphabetical order). Below is the step-by-step process for filing:
o A - F: Monday
o G - F: Tuesday
o O - Z: Wednesday
o Missed Your Day: Thursday and Friday (filing later in the week will not delay payments or
affect the date of an individual’s claim, since all claims are effective on the Monday of the week
in which they are filed)

CHILD CARE
For assistance in finding child care, please contact the Child Care Council of Suffolk hotline 1-646-926-3784.
They are prioritizing child care for essential workers, including health care workers, first responders, grocery
and pharmacy employees and others who are critical to keep our essential supports operational.

SCHOOL MEALS FOR STUDENTS

 Students who received breakfast and lunch at school may pick up their meals at all K-4 Elementary
schools between 11am-1pm, daily.

SOCIAL SERVICES

 Suffolk County Department of Social Services will remain open but with limited contact with the public
Riverhead Center: 893 E. Main St, Riverhead NY 11901-2542
Telephone: (631) 852-3500 / Fax: (631) 852-3505
 Applications for assistance programs can be submitted by mail and may be downloaded at:
https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Social-Services/Client-Benefits-Administration

For the latest information and up to date alerts from New York State, you may register at:
https://now.ny.gov/page/s/coronavirus-updates

Remember the simple steps you can take to help stop the spread of COVID-19:

 Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
 Sneeze or cough into a tissue and discard tissue in a covered container
 Clean and disinfect frequently
 If you are sick, do not leave your home unless to seek medical assistance
 Practice Social Distancing of a least six feet
 If you are home, stay home.

For more information about COVID-19, visit:

www.cdc.org
www.who.int
SUPPLY DRIVE FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE SUPPLIES
YVETTE M. AGUIAR Town of Riverhead Tel: (631) 727-3200 / Fax: (631) 727-6712
Town Supervisor 200 Howell Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901 www.townofriverheadny.gov

RIVERHEAD COVID-19 UPDATE - March 23, 2020

Update to the Riverhead Community on the Coronavirus Emergency Declaration

The Town of Riverhead is working to ensure the health, security and welfare of our residents while we
navigate the unprecedented challenge posed by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our focus is to continue
implementing a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and as new developments arise, adjust accordingly.
Town Hall and all Town offices remain closed. This now includes the Yard Waste Facility. Residents will still
have the ability to correspond via US Mail and email with Town Departments. All calls to Town Hall will be
answered centrally at 631-727-3200 during business hours and forwarded to the Police non-emergency line
after hours and weekends. A message will be taken and calls will be returned based on their priority. In case
of an emergency, dial 911.

COVID-19 INFORMATION
SENIORS
The senior “Meals on Wheels” program will continue for enrollees. Seniors are encouraged to call 631-722-
4444 for additional information about possible pickup/drop-off services that may be available for essential
groceries.
BUSINESSES
From the shops in Wading River, to in and around our Downtown, to our Eastern most hamlets and
everywhere in between, our small businesses are a critical component of our Town. And although the
economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis is yet to be fully measured, we know it is already having a huge,
negative impact on our small business community. To the brave business owners who work tirelessly
contributing to the foundation of Riverhead, we are with you and working daily with Federal, State and Local
officials to ensure financial assistance programs are readily available. We encourage business owners to visit
the SBA website at www.sba.gov/diasters and apply for Economic Disaster Impact Loans. Please note, we will
be continually advocating for additional assistance and urge you to call the Business Impact/Recovery Unit of
the Department of Labor via 311 for the latest information available. It is critical you document your hardship.
By documenting the hardship or applying for an SBA grant (sba.gov) you will help pave the way for us to
advocate for future Federal funding.
Business owners are further encouraged to visit the Riverhead Business Improvement District’s website at
www.downtownriverhead.org for additional information. In addition, the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce
will continually provide updates of community efforts to support our businesses at
www.riverheadchamber.com.

TESTING
Our closest mobile testing center is located at Stony Brook University’s, South “P” Lot. Drive through testing is
available by appointment only. For further information call 1-888-364-3065. Testing for the COVID-19 is free to
all who meet the testing parameters. All hospitals on the East End have testing capability. Any resident who is
symptomatic of flu-type symptoms is encouraged to call their healthcare provider first and be guided by their
instructions. For additional information contact the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov
RECREATION
All parks will remain open and free to the public. All 2019 beach permits will be honored until further notice
along with all playgrounds being closed and off limits. At the present time, at the direction of County officials,
all golf courses will remain open with a strong recommendation to walk instead of using carts. If golf carts are
utilized, only one person should ride at any given time. Club rental should be suspended as well. All residents
visiting outdoor facilities are encouraged to practice the nationally mandated social distancing mandate of six
feet or more. These conditions have been issued and provided by the State to all golf courses.
HEALTHCARE
Be mindful, we are in constant contact with Peconic Bay Medical Center, our County Executive, the Governor’s
office and the CDC. As Federal, State and County declarations are provided and information develops, we will
reach out to our local newspapers and radio stations. In addition, updates will also be placed on the Riverhead
Town website.
PRICE GOUGING
Price gouging can be reported to New York State Division of Consumer Protection 1-800-697-1220.
CHILDCARE
For assistance in finding child care, please contact the Child Care Council of Suffolk hotline 1-646-926-3784.
They are prioritizing child care for essential workers, including health care workers, first responders, grocery
and pharmacy employees and others who are critical to keep our essential supports operational.
PLEASE NOTE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS

 Stay at home if you don’t feel well

 Avoid close contact with people who appear to have flu-like symptoms
 Practice social distancing of at least six feet
 Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds and clean and disinfect surfaces
 Contact the CDC for more information on limiting a widespread outbreak
  Coping with COVID-19 stress https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/coping-with-
stress.pdf?sfvrsn=9845bc3a_8

For more information, visit www.cdc.com or www.who.int