No. 56.1: Modifying the Declaration of a Disaster Emergency in the Counties of Bronx, Nassau, New York, and Contiguous Counties Due to Healthcare Staffing Shortages in the[...]

No. 56.1

E X E C U T I V E O R D E R

MODIFYING THE DECLARATION OFA DISASTER EMERGENCY IN THE COUNTIES OF BRONX, NASSAU, NEW YORK, AND CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES DUE TO HEALTHCARE STAFFING SHORTAGES IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK

WHEREAS, an imminent strike of nursing personnel in Bronx, Nassau and New York counties will cause several hospitals in the State to experience severe staffing shortages, affecting the availability and delivery of care, threatening public health and safety, and the ability to provide critical care, including to vulnerable populations, at a time when there have been record-high numbers of influenza cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks;

WHEREAS, to protect public health and safety, on January 9, 2026, I issued Executive Order 56 declaring a State Disaster Emergency in the counties of Bronx, Nassau, New York, and contiguous counties, effective through February 8, 2026;

WHEREAS, the terms, conditions, and suspensions of Executive Order 56 are a temporary measure to ensure continuity of care and patient safety, and are not intended to afford leverage to any party in collective bargaining; and

WHEREAS, the conditions giving rise to the Disaster Emergency may be resolved through collective bargaining prior to the expiration of Executive Order 56;

NOW THEREFORE, I Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of New York and Article 2-B of the Executive Law, do hereby modify the State Disaster Emergency as set forth in Executive Order Number 56 such that Executive Order 56 and the terms, conditions, and suspensions contained therein shall expire January 25, 2026.

G I V E N under my hand and the Privy Seal of the

State in the City of Albany this 10th day

of January in the year two thousand twenty-six.

BY THE GOVERNOR

Secretary to the Governor