Recent Developments Regarding Non-Essential Gatherings, the New York Forward Safety Plan and New York Forward Loan Fund

A number of recent developments have occurred in New York related to public gatherings and other plans to support the reopening of the state. Our Cooperative and Condominium Law attorneys have compiled the following key takeaways for Boards to consider.

Executive Order No. 202.33

Under the Governor’s 33rd Executive Order regarding COVID-19, New Yorkers are now permitted to have gatherings of 10 people or fewer, provided that the individuals comply with social distancing protocols, and cleaning and disinfection protocols are observed. View a copy of the Order as outlined online.

New York Forward Safety Plan

Governor Cuomo has outlined a plan called New York Forward (NYF) with the aim of gradually reopening the State. Under NYF, the Department of Health (DOH) is requiring that businesses and entities develop and implement a written Safety Plan outlining how their workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19. Cooperative and Condominium Boards should thus prepare and maintain a Safety Plan. 

Boards can develop their own Safety Plan or they can use the DOH’s template. There is no requirement that the plan be submitted to any state agencies, but the DOH requires the entity completing the Safety Plan to keep a copy at the premises and make it available to the DOH or local health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection.

New York Forward Loan Fund

Another NYF initiative is the New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF), which provides working capital loans to entities, including buildings containing 50 or fewer apartments, with priority being given to borrowers with low to moderate income residents. The loans must be paid back over a five-year term with interest. To be eligible, the borrower must be an entity that did not receive a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), or SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for COVID-19 in 2020. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Boards can fill out a pre-application and match with a participating lender.

Armstrong Teasdale attorneys are actively monitoring and providing updates regarding the impact of COVID-19. For additional information, visit Armstrong Teasdale’s COVID-19 Resource Center.