On April 24th, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.23 (EO 202.23) which, among other things, (a) addresses absentee ballots for primary or special elections to be held on June 23, 2020, and (b) addresses the authority of the Commissioner of Health to suspend or revoke operating certificates of skilled nursing facilities:
EO 202.23 – Through May 24, 2020:
- Every voter that is in active and inactive status and is eligible to vote in a primary or special election to be held on June 23, 2020 will be sent an absentee ballot application form with a postage paid return option for same. This is in addition to any other means of requesting an absentee ballot available, and any voter will continue to be able to request such a ballot via phone or internet or electronically. Any ballot which was requested or received for any previously re-scheduled election, or for the primary election to be held on June 23, 2020 will continue to be valid and will be counted by the Board of Elections if returned to them.
- The Commissioner of Health may suspend or revoke the operating certificate of any skilled nursing facility or adult care facility if it is determined that such facility has not adhered to any regulations or directives issued by the Commissioner of Health, and if determined to not be in compliance notwithstanding any law to the contrary the Commissioner may appoint a receiver to continue the operations on 24 hours’ notice to the current operator, in order to preserve the life, health and safety of the people of the State of New York.
On April 25th, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.24 (EO 202.24), which authorizes, among other things, licensed pharmacists to order COVID-19 tests under certain conditions and to direct laboratories to test patients suspected of COVID-19 infection.
EO 202.24 – Through May 25, 2020:
- Licensed pharmacists may order, as necessary, COVID-19 tests, approved by the FDA, to detect SARS-CoV-2 or its antibodies, and to administer COVID-19 tests in patients suspected of a COVID-19 infection, or suspected of having recovered from COVID-19 infection, subject to completion of appropriate training developed by the Department of Health.
- Licensed pharmacists may be designated, as necessary, as a qualified healthcare professional for the purpose of directing a limited service laboratory to test patients suspected of a COVID-19 infection or its antibodies provided that such test is FDA-approved and waived for use in a limited service laboratory.
