You can find the full video of County Executive Ryan's COVID-19 briefing today here. 

County Executive Ryan Directs Schools in Ulster County to Close for 14-Days 

County Executive Ryan to Hold Tele-Town Hall, Sunday at 2:00 p.m. for Residents 

“In consultation with the Health Department and the Ulster County Health and Safety Advisory Task Force, and out of an abundance of caution, I am directing the closure of all schools in Ulster County for 14 days, starting on Monday. As a parent, I know this will impact families in our community, and understand the sacrifice this will entail, but I am confident we are making the right decision. We are working closely with school officials and community leaders to develop plans at the school district-level to help alleviate the stresses and hardships this will place on our County’s families. Based on what we currently know about the spread of COVID-19, we believe that acting decisively now will significantly reduce the impact on our community and help protect our most vulnerable neighbors” - Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan.

School superintendents and officials will implement this order as appropriate in each district, and provide additional guidance to their school communities in the coming hours and days. Schools will be closed for instruction, after-school and extracurricular events, and public events, but superintendents may direct essential staff to report as needed. 

“These are challenging times. All of the Ulster County school superintendents support this action by County Executive Ryan. We all have the same goal which is to protect the health and safety of the over 22,000 students and the thousands of teachers, administrators and support staff who work in our schools everyday” - Chuck Khoury, District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer, Ulster BOCES. 

“This is an important action that will protect the health and safety of the residents of Ulster County. This decision was not made lightly and we know that it will have real world impacts to many, but it is the decision that needs to be made to stop the continued spread of COVID-19. I applaud the County Executive for taking direct and swift action. I want to again stress that residents should continue to exercise caution, but that this is not a cause for panic. For physicians, school districts, and those who feel they may be exposed or are experiencing symptoms, call our new COVID-19 hotline at 845-443-8888 or visit our website ulstercountyny.gov/Coronavirus for more information” - Commissioner of Health Dr. Carol Smith.

In addition to working closely with school superintendents and officials, Ulster County is in close coordination with neighboring Dutchess County and Orange County leadership. 

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Attached: Picture (from left to right): Chuck Khoury, District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer, Ulster BOCES, County Executive Pat Ryan, Ulster County Commissioner of Health and Mental Health Dr. Carol Smith

Video link: Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan holds an important update on COVID-19