Nyack, March 19 — Here’s what’s new in the last 24 hours regarding the coronavirus covid-19 pandemic. As of March 18, 45 positive cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in Rockland County.

• Anyone having visited the First Church of Nyack on Sunday, March 8 is asked to self-quarantine until Monday, March 23.

• The Thursday Nyack Farmers Market will be closed until further notice. “This closure is part of the effort to flatten the curve and keep vulnerable members of our community safe,” says the Nyack Chamber of Commerce.

• Effective 8p on 3/19, the interior portions of the Palisades Center will be closed. Stores with outside access, including Home Depot, Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Best Buy that have dedicated exterior entrances and can remain open.

• Anthony Wayne Recreation Area is now an active mobile drive through facility for COVID-19 testing. You must have an appointment; please contact your doctor or the State health department with questions at 1-888-364-3065. Hours are 7a-7p. Please note that Exit 17 of the Palisades Parkway may have limited access over the next weeks due to these health operations.

• Rockland County has changed its position on daycare facilities. Rockland County’s Director of Strategic Communications John Lyon writes:

“We have received communication from the governor’s office insisting that their orders supersede those of the Rockland County. We have chosen to honor this request and allow daycare providers to open,” said County Executive Ed Day. “While this goes against our best judgement and the judgement of our Commissioner of Health, the Governor is allowing daycare providers to open.” Lyon says any questions about this matter should be directed to the governor’s office at 518-474-8390.

Also: Catered events of 50 or more people are now banned in Rockland County. The RC Department of Health is deploying inspectors to ensure that events of this size are not occurring locally.  Any gathering of more than 50 people or a catered event is considered a public health nuisance and when discovered will be ordered shut down with a fine of $2,000 per day per violation. To report a gathering of more than 50 people or a catered event being held in a public venue please call the Rockland County Department of Health at 845-364-2608.

• Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY17/Rockland-Westchester) has asked the U.S. Small Business Administrator for expedited approval of New York’s request to be declared a disaster area eligible for disaster loan assistance through the SBA.

• The NYS Senate passed legislation which ensures all workers have access to paid sick leave in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Co-sponsored by Senator David Carlucci, S.8091 allows workers to receive paid sick leave and guaranteed job security if they have to undergo a mandatory or precautionary quarantine or isolation due to the coronavirus.  Also: Senator Carlucci is hosting a “virtual town hall” meeting via Facebook Live at 5p today (3/19).

• Orangetown Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny has declared a local state of emergency as of 5/18. Residents should be aware of the following: All town meetings scheduled through March 27 have been cancelled. Parks will remain open but all town playgrounds are closed (however, golf courses remain open); there is limited access to all town offices until further notice. Visit Orangetown.com for further information.

• South Nyack: Mayor’s Meet & Greet scheduled for March 21 is cancelled; South Nyack/Grand View court is cancelled until further notice.

• Nyack: Mayor Don Hammond will participate in a Nyack Center Community Chat on Friday 3/20 at 10a. You can join this conversation remotely by using this ZOOM link.

• Clarkstown: A State of Emergency has been declared for the town in response to COVID-19. All departments will only remain open to the public for telephone inquiries, electronic communications, and electronic filings. In person appointments with the public will be made on an emergency basis only. The Clarkstown Town Court is closed and all court matters have been adjourned. All senior centers and community centers remain closed until further notice. Playgrounds and pickleball courts are closed; however, parks are open.

• Orange & Rockland is closing all of their walk-in centers as of today, March 19. In light of the strains the pandemic is putting on the finances of many people,  O&R is waiving new late-payment fees and suspending no-access fees if they can’t read your meter. The company says most customers can arrange for payment extensions and agreements online at ORU.com.