Niagara County to Hold Mask, Hand Sanitizer
Giveaway in Niagara Falls

Niagara County Legislator Dave Godfrey has announced that the Niagara County Department of Emergency Services will hold a giveaway event in Niagara Falls to provide free masks and small bottles of hand sanitizer to the general public.
 
“Our event last week in Lockport was a tremendous success where we gave out 2000 bags containing masks and hand sanitizer so we began to immediately plan one in Niagara Falls,” said Godfrey, Chairman of the Community Safety and Security Committee. “I’m very happy that our Emergency Services team was able to acquire the next batch of supplies so quickly just as our community enters Phase 4 of reopening.”

The giveaway event will be held on Thursday, July 2nd, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Niagara Falls City Market at 779 East Market Street and will have both a drive-thru and walk-up tables where Niagara County residents can get a bag containing several bottles of personal-size hand sanitizer and a package of masks. No pre-registration is necessary as bags will handed out on a first come, first served basis. The event will run until 2 p.m. or until all bags have been distributed.

“Our Emergency Services staff is looking forward to distributing more supplies this week to the general public and in an effort to reach as many people as possible, I remind everyone we have a one bag limit,” said Jonathan Schultz, the Emergency Services Director. “We will again have a few thousand bags available, so please spread the word to your family and friends.”
Niagara County Public Health Director Urges Compliance
With State Travel Advisory and Recommends
Testing of Those Returning

New York State has issued a travel advisory requiring travelers entering New York from states with prevalent transmission of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days. Those who travel to high-risk states and return to Niagara County will be required to comply with the precautionary quarantine requirements per Governors Executive Order 205. Exemptions for essential workers have been made and individuals or businesses who are in need of further clarification are encouraged to reach out to the proper contacts at the State.

Travelers who are either returning or planning a trip, should review the New York State COVID-19 Travel Advisory link at:   https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory   for a current list of restricted states, guidance for travel and quarantine, as well as exemptions for essential workers. Those returning from one of the high-risk states on non-essential travel will not receive paid sick leave benefits for their required quarantine per the NYS Executive Order 202.45.

Those with questions regarding the travel advisory in place for individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19 should contact NYS COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.

To report non-compliance with the governor’s orders, including individuals failing to adhere to the quarantine requirements pursuant to the travel advisory, contact NYS on Pause Hotline at 1-833-789-0470. 

“The community has done tremendous work helping to flatten the curve. As our infection rate has significantly reduced, we need those returning to Niagara County to follow public health guidelines and consider free diagnostic testing during their 14 day quarantine,” urged Daniel J. Stapleton, Public Health Director. Adherence to requirements help to contain the rate of COVID-19 transmission and protect vulnerable populations from serious illness. “Anyone currently in quarantine should get tested for COVID-19,” Mr. Stapleton emphasized. The free county testing site is open every Wednesday with appointments starting as early as 9:30AM. To register, call 716-278-1900. Testing is free, does not require a doctor’s order, and results are available in about 2 to 4 days.   Click here for more information about COVID-19 and other test sites (including antibody testing)
Stay engaged. Continue to look for emails from our office in the coming days and weeks updating you on the latest reopening news and what assistance is available to help you through this difficult time. Our staff is working hard to compile a complete list of guidelines, safety protocols and programs along with webinars and training that is available. To learn more, be sure to visit our website and bookmark it. Once there, look for the COVID-19 tab.
S incerely,

Niagara County Center for Economic Development
(716) 278-8750