Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus Friday, and ordered all public schools in the county closed until at least April 14.
Picente said, in consultation with district superintendents, that the state of emergency will be in effect for at least the next month.
"While there is currently no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Oneida County, we're taking every measure available to ensure the health and safety of our residents, Picente said in a statement. "Since the onset of this threat, we have partnered with federal, state and local officials to prepare, evaluate and respond to this public health emergency."
Earlier in the day Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order rescinding the requirement that school districts be in session for a minimum of 180 days to qualify for state aid. He also said the decision to close schools would be made at the local level.
Other schools in central New York have decided to close as well. Notre Dame elementary and high school in Utica will close until April 14. Herkimer County schools will also be closed until April 14. Manlius Pebble Hill School will close and move to online classes starting Tuesday. Syracuse Hebrew Day School will move to online classes starting Monday.
One of the state's largest teacher unions, New York State United Teachers is calling on counties with confirmed cases of COVID-19 to close all schools starting Monday.
