CHENANGO COUNTY - To reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Governor Cuomo issued an order on Wednesday requiring New Yorkers to wear masks in public when they are not able to maintain the minimum six feet of social distancing.

If you are going to be out in the public and you cannot maintain a 6-foot distance from others, you must wear a cloth face covering (mask). This preventive measure is not a big change from the current recommendation.

Have a cloth face covering of some kind available when you go out in the public for situations where close proximity to others is difficult to avoid. Examples of this would be when using public transit or riding the bus, taking a subway, walking in a busy neighborhood (where people congregate at intersections), shopping at a busy pharmacy or sitting in a small waiting room with others.

Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used. 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.

Wearing a cloth face covering is not a substitute for the current recommendation to use social distancing, handwashing, and others.

Recent studies show that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity. For example speaking, coughing, or sneezing, even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms and are not feeling sick. In light of this evidence, the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to do.

Governor Cuomo’s order goes into effect Friday 4/17/20. Please treat others in your community with kindness and patience. Thank You.