Putnam County joins counties closing schools

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CARMEL – Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell Friday night declared a state of emergency and ordered all schools closed “for an initial five-day period, with an option to extend it for another five days.” No classroom or extracurricular activities may take place at the schools.

The state of emergency runs from 5 p.m., Friday, March 13 through March 27 at 11:59 p.m.

The declaration will allow the county to share resources more efficiently and better respond to the rapidly evolving epidemic of Coronavirus, or COVID-19.

With the state of emergency declared, Odell issued an emergency order to suspend all classroom and extracurricular functions and close all public and private schools throughout the county as of Monday, March 16 for an initial five day period, with an option to extend it for another five days.

“Schools throughout the county are facing their toughest test yet,” Odell said. “While they need to educate students, they also need to keep them safe and prevent the spread of the virus to family members and the community at large. This order will help them do that.”

Anthony DiCarlo, superintendent of Mahopac schools endorsed the plan saying county leaders are working “to keep our children and staff safe.”

Putnam County Sheriff Robert Langley suspended all visitation to the Putnam County Correctional Facility effective Monday, March 16.

“The emergency declaration will give the county the most flexibility possible to deal with a potential crisis,” County Legislature Chairwoman Toni Addonizio said. “These are unusual times.”

Adjacent Westchester County continues to have the highest concentration of Coronavirus cases in the state. Dutchess, Orange and Ulster counties have also each issued emergency orders.

Putnam County has established a website to provide residents with the latest information about Coronavirus, COVID-19.  https://www.putnamcountyny.com/health/coronavirus/




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