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Dear Friends,

As the COVID-19 emergency continues, please be assured that the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), along with our colleagues in City government, continues to do whatever we can to keep our media, entertainment and nightlife communities informed about the City's response, available resources and opportunities to assist relief efforts.

Earlier this week, Governor Cuomo extended New York's state of emergency to June 7 and signaled that certain low-risk business and recreational activities will be ready to reopen statewide on May 15th, including landscaping and gardening; outdoor, low-risk recreational activities such as tennis; and drive-in movie theaters. Governor Cuomo also announced members of Regional Control Rooms that will monitor regional metrics during the reopening process. To date, three regions—the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley—have met all seven metrics required to begin phase one of the state's regional phased reopening plan. The state's regional monitoring dashboard is available here.

Mayor de Blasio announced that the City is working to expand testing for COVID-19 rapidly throughout the five boroughs. Free and convenient walk-in testing is now available at these locations, with additional sites to open. In addition, the NYC Open Streets plan will open up to a total of 100 miles of streets to allow greater social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis. Open Streets are available daily, 8 am to 8 pm (unless otherwise noted) for pedestrians and cyclists to use while maintaining at least six feet of distance from others. New York City will continue distributing face coverings in parks, DOE Grab & Go meal sites, grocery stores, and other sites during social distancing enforcement.

REMINDER: All non-essential event permits are cancelled through June 30, inclusive of concerts, rallies and large gatherings. MOME film permit restrictions remain in effect through May 31.

Our colleagues at NYC & Company announced The Coalition for NYC Hospitality & Tourism Recovery, a five-borough initiative dedicated to safely re-engaging, mobilizing and championing all sectors of NYC's tourism economy once the health crisis ends. The Coalition was formed to support city and state recovery planning, including Mayor de Blasio's Arts, Culture, and Tourism Advisory Council, with a focus on revitalizing and reaffirming NYC's appeal around the world. Media, entertainment and nightlife businesses can sign on to support and amplify the work of the coalition. (Membership at NYC & Company is not required.)

I also want to call your attention to some other updates on resources and programs available.

• MOME will participate in the following public programs:

○ Freelance Isn’t Free: This Friday, May 15, The Freelancers Union is celebrating the 3rd anniversary of the Freelance Isn’t Free Act in NYC with a daylong event on Instagram Live. Tune in starting at noon EDT for info on the law & other updates from a host of special guest speakers, including myself.

○ Virtual Forum: Adaptive Cities in a Post-Covid Era: The Culture & Media Sectors: On Tuesday, May 19, from 12:30-1:30PM, Buro Happold will present a panel that will explore cultural workforce vulnerabilities, institution adaptation, emerging, operating and production models, and prospective paths forward for the culture sectors.

• Webinars for Small businesses Impacted by COVID-19: NYC Department of Small Business Services is hosting free webinars on resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 focused on financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and other private organizations; tax, debt, and utilities relief; marketing and employee support; and regulatory changes. View the full list of webinars.

• Translated COVID-19 Graphics: The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs has informational graphics available in over 20 languages to educate all New Yorkers about resources and public health guidance.

• Freelancers in NYC: If you're facing nonpayment issues, file a complaint. NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has helped recover more than $250,000 in lost wages. Learn more here.

• Free Financial Counseling: NYC Financial Empowerment Centers provide free one-on-one professional, confidential, financial counseling over the phone. Book an appointment here.

We also have posted on MOME's website a list of resources and information on the COVID-19 coronavirus specifically for the media and entertainment industry that includes the links we have shared since the start of the crisis and will update as new resources emerge. Our municipal television network, NYC Media, continues to broadcast 24-7 programming and information about the COVID-19 crisis on NYC Gov, including live video coverage of Mayoral press conferences and the latest public service announcements, including COVID-19 related emergency alerts, the latest guidance, and changes in City services. NYC Gov is available on Spectrum 74, FiOS 24, Altice 74, RCN 81 and over-the-air broadcast Channel 25.2.

For the latest updates, follow us on our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit our website at www.nyc.gov/mome.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns or for support.

Stay strong and be safe.

Sincerely,

Anne del Castillo

Commissioner

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

www.nyc.gov/mome

@NYCMOMECommish

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

nyc.gov/mome

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