This message was sent to the Rockefeller community from the Office of the President on March 20, 2020 at 6:02 p.m.
Subject: Impact of New York State Executive Order on Rockefeller Operations

Dear Rockefeller colleagues,

Earlier today, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he will be issuing an Executive Order mandating that 100% of the state’s workforce not engaged in providing essential services stay home beginning Sunday, March 22 at 8 pm. In addition, all non-essential gatherings of individuals for any reason are temporarily banned.

Operations at Rockefeller being conducted under the current campus closure fall under the State’s definition as essential and therefore are exempt from this order. Specifically, the State identifies essential health care operations, which includes research and laboratory services and hospitals, as necessary for public health purposes. Given our current operational status announced on March 15, the plan for essential lab maintenance and COVID-19 related research that has been approved by the Office of the President remains unchanged by this order.

Guidance for the conduct of critical laboratories was issued earlier this week. Guidance for the conduct of COVID-19 related research is forthcoming soon, and will provide additional information about how key laboratory support services will be provided during the closure. Key administrative services remain in place as stated in the President’s announcement of the closure on March 15.

We will continue to update the University website with the latest information and guidance. If you have additional questions, please send emails to prepare@rockefeller.edu.

Timothy P. O’Connor, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President

Richard P. Lifton, M.D., Ph.D.
President
Carson Family Professor