DOH Issues New Guidelines Regarding the Operation of Temporary Residences
The New York State Department of Health issued new guidance on Friday for the operation of temporary residences. After Governor Cuomo banned sleepaway camps in June, many camp operators announced that they would open their camps anyway - using the rationale that state law continued to allow for temporary residences to run as usual.
In response to the open defiance of his order, Governor Cuomo has hit back with very strong guidelines that will make it almost impossible for camps to continue to operate.
In the guidance, the state specifically bans the use of hotels for camps as well as any overnight program that operates for less than 72 hours.
Per the rules, a $1000 fine per day may be assessed for violators.
The state has specifically outlined that an operator may not accept responsibility for the supervision of a minor overnight - all children must be accompanied by a parent.
There are very specific measures that operators have to take regarding sleeping arrangements under the new orders including a minimum of 50 square feet per person, a ban on bunk beds, and a requirement that residents sleep head to foot.
Additionally, the state issued requirements that all people on site wear face masks at all times when social distancing is not possible and also requires that safety measures be taken during meal times.
Read the guidance link here -