The Peru Gazette

Recent Forest Ranger Actions

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 16 at 5:37 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch was notified of three overdue snowshoers who left from the Garden parking area to hike Johns Brook Valley and had not returned. The hikers from Albany, NY, and Topeka, KS, did not have lights, overnight gear, or appropriate clothing for anticipated zero-degree temperatures. Forest Ranger Lewis responded to the location and confirmed the subjects’ vehicle was still at the trailhead. When interviewing family members, Ranger Lewis learned that one of the individuals has asthma and did not have her inhaler. Ranger Lewis retrieved the subject’s inhaler before responding to Johns Brook Lodge. Forest Rangers O’Connor and Martin also responded to the location with snowmobiles to extricate the unprepared snowshoers. On Feb. 17 at 1:20 a.m., Rangers and the three hikers were out of the woods and back at the trailhead.

COVID-19 February 23 Updates

Nursing Home Visitation Updates

The Department of Health recommends that visitors take a rapid test before entry into the facility, and DOH will provide rapid tests to nursing homes to facilitate their ability to test visitors on-site and at no cost.

For counties with COVID-19 positivity rates between 5-10%on a 7-day rolling average, visitor testing is required and visitors must either present with a negative COVID-19 test, either PCR or rapid, within 72 hours or facilities may utilize rapid tests to meet the requirement.

Alternatively, visitors may provide proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination no less than 14 days from the date of the visit and no more than 90 days prior to the visit.

Currently the 7-day rolling average positivity rate for our district is as follows: 

• Clinton County: 3.5%
• Franklin County: 7.6%
• St. Lawrence County: 2.9%

Visit this website for current positivity rates by county or region.

Visitation will not be permitted if the county’s COVID-19 positivity rate is greater than 10%.

Compassionate care visits are always permitted.

Based on the needs of residents and a facility’s structure, visitation can be conducted in resident rooms, dedicated visitation spaces and outdoors.

The number of visitors to the nursing home must not exceed 20% of the resident census at any time and the number of visitors and time allocated to visitation should be considerate of this capacity limitation.

Full DOH guidance for nursing home visitation can be found here.

New Guidance for Amusement Parks, Events, and Billiards/Pool Halls

Billiards and Pool Halls are permitted to reopen starting March 5.

• Halls are restricted to 50 percent capacity outside of New York City; 35% capacity in New York City
• Masks will be required at all times except when seated and eating or drinking.
• Mandatory social distancing must be enforced, or physical barriers between parties of patrons/players must be installed.
• Each party must be assigned to a table to avoid comingling.
• Staff must rigorously clean and disinfect any rented or shared equipment between use.

Weddings and Catered Events can begin starting on March 15.

• Venues are restricted to 50%, with no more than 150 people per event.
• All patrons must be tested prior to the event.
• Sign-in with contact information required to assist with potential contact tracing.
• Venues must notify local health departments of large events, above the social gathering limit, in advance.
• Masks will be required at all times except when seated and eating or drinking.
• Ceremonial and socially-distanced dancing allowed under strict guidelines.

Indoor family entertainment centers can reopen on March 26 and outdoor amusement parks can reopen on April 9.

• Contact information must be collected from each party to inform contact tracing, if needed;
• High-touch areas, attractions, and rides must be cleaned and disinfected frequently throughout the day;
• Attractions must close if they cannot ensure distancing and be frequently cleaned/disinfected;
• Sufficient staff must be deployed to enforce compliance with rules, including capacity, distancing and face coverings;
• Tickets should be sold in advance, and entry/exit and waiting times should be staggered to avoid congestion;
• Indoor areas must meet enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards; and
• Retail, food services and recreational activities must abide by all State-issued guidance.

Vermont Travel Restrictions Update

Those who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, may travel to Vermont without quarantining 2 weeks after their second dose.

It is recommended that you carry your vaccine card with you when traveling in Vermont.

More information may be found here.

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