02/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/02/2026 17:18
Extending the Declaration of a Disaster Emergency in the Counties of Bronx, New York, and Contiguous Counties Due to Healthcare Staffing Shortages in the State of New York
No. 56.3
E X E C U T I V E O R D E R
EXTENDING THE DECLARATION OF A DISASTER EMERGENCY IN THE COUNTIES OF BRONX, NEW YORK, AND CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES DUE TO HEALTHCARE STAFFING SHORTAGES IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
WHEREAS, a strike of nursing personnel in Bronx and New York counties has caused 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 respiratory viruses remain widespread;
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;
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
NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Section 28 of Article 2-B of the Executive Law, do hereby find a continued need for a disaster emergency order in Bronx and New York Counties and do hereby extend the State Disaster Emergency as set forth in Executive Order Number 56 and continue the terms, conditions, and suspensions contained in Executive Order Number 56 as applied to Bronx, New York, and contiguous counties through and including February 4, 2026.
G I V E N under my hand and the Privy Seal of the
State in the City of Albany this 2nd day
of February in the year two thousand twenty-six.
BY THE GOVERNOR
Secretary to the Governor