COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER GIVES AUGUST 31 COVID-19.
BRIEFING FROM LIBERTY LINES BUS DEPOT IN VALHALLA.
Latimer Announces Westchester County Bee-Line Bus System To Resume Standard Operation.
Latimer Also Premieres Two Covid-19 PSAs With More Geared Toward Children To Be Released Later This Week.
Watch Handwashing PSA Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
(White Plains, NY) – The Westchester County Bee-Line System will resume standard operation, resuming front door boarding on all buses starting September 8. Additionally, all buses are now outfitted with protective barriers that provide floor-to-ceiling plastic sheeting around bus operators. This new phase will effectively end the COVID response phase, where customers were not charged to ride, that began on March 23.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “We will continue to do everything to ensure safety on the Bee-Line for both our passengers and our drivers. With protective driver shields being installed on the entire fleet of 325 buses, we are confident that we can safely bring back front door boarding and return the system to a more normal operation.”
County Department of Public Works and Transportation Commissioner Hugh Greechan said: “We have been closely monitoring what other transit agencies are doing during this pandemic. In unprecedented times it is important that we are following industry best practices. With several agencies now resuming front door boarding on buses, including NJ Transit and NICE Bus, we are consistent with other mass transit systems.”
Riders are reminded to continue utilizing safe practices to stop the spread of the virus. All Bee-Line passengers are required to wear a face covering upon entering the bus and must keep it on, covering their nose and mouth, for the duration of their trip. Whenever possible, riders are encouraged to distance themselves and keep six feet away from other passengers.
The system resumed full service on June 15, and all routes are currently operating on their normal schedule.
For Bee-Line service alerts and schedule information please visit www.westchestergov.com/
Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
At his weekly Covid-19 briefing, Latimer also premiered two PSAs aimed toward encouraging Westchester residents to remember the importance of washing your hands and always wearing your mask.
In the handwashing video, the necessity of washing your hands to keep you and your loved ones safe is explained with a fun how-to reminder with singing appearances by Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, Board of Legislators Chairman Ben Boykin, Legislator Kitley Covill and Legislator Vedat Gashi.
In the mask wearing video, Westchester residents of all ages explain the importance of wearing masks to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Residents tell us why they wear a mask and who they wear it for.
These PSAs will be followed by videos geared toward Westchester’s youngest residents later this week.
Register Today: Westchester County Youth Bureau Hosts “COVID 19: Preparing for Back to School”
(White Plains, NY) – On September 3 at 6p.m., the Westchester County Youth Bureau will host an online forum entitled ‘COVID 19: Preparing for Back to School.’ This virtual presentation and discussion is designed to help prepare families of school-age children and youth for the start of the school year. Of the varying topics, experts will primarily focus on strategies to manage the anxiety of students and parents, instilling routines and norms during this unprecedented time, and resources in coping with loss, family members, and other stressors.
County Executive George Latimer said: “We recognize that the social, emotional and psychological implications concerning the pandemic have surfaced, particularly as we prepare for the new normal during this school year. Schools are working diligently to reassure parents as they send their children back to the classrooms. The Youth Bureau’s partnership with experts in the medical field and leading medical institutions demonstrates our desire to help support parents and providers and equip Westchester residents with additional supports and strategies.”
The Westchester County Youth Bureau is offering this virtual forum FREE for parents, students, and youth service providers. Expert panelists will include: Dr. Arlene G. Adler, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center Assistant Professor of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, New York Medical College; Dr. Ludmilar Mesidor, Psychiatrist, Private Practice, and member of Jack & Jill of America, Mid Hudson Valley Chapter; Dr. Cheryl Burton, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist, and Certified Coach, and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; and Dr. Debra DeFour-Pierce, School Psychologist, East Ramapo Central School District. The forum will be moderated by Cheryl Brannan, President of Brannan Solutions Group.
Westchester County Youth Bureau Executive Director Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said: “This opportunity comes on the heels of two previous virtual town halls that focused on preparing families for summer in light of COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). Given the many questions and concerns regarding the return to school and our young people’s social, emotional and psychological well-being, our aim is to provide medically accurate information and real time information to best support our young people during their transition from home to school.”
Registration will close on September 3rd at 12p.m. - to register, email WCYB@westchestergov.com. To watch, tune in on September 3, 6p.m. at https://www.facebook.com/
WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXTENDS BEACH SEASON.
(Ardsley, NY) – The Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation’s two beaches will be open to the public the two weekends after Labor Day. This is the first time that the beaches - at Playland Park in Rye and Croton Point Park in Croton - will be open after Labor Day. The days and times are Sept. 12-13 and Sept. 19-20 and will follow their regular schedule of 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “This is a sign of us again trying to compensate for the difficulties we have had during the pandemic. We are proud of the work to get and keep these facilities open to help people cool off in the age of Covid.”
Playland Beach will be open Tuesday, Sept. 1 through Monday, Sept. 7. Croton Point Park Beach will be open Wednesday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 7 (also from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.).
Three of Westchester County’s four pools are open for their regular two daily sessions - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.to 6 p.m. - now through Labor Day. They are Saxon Woods in White Plains, Willson’s Woods in Mount Vernon and Sprain Ridge in Yonkers. The fourth pool, Tibbetts Brook, also in Yonkers, will be closed from Monday, Aug. 31, through Friday, Sept. 4, but will re-open for the regular two sessions on Saturday, Sept. 5; Sunday, Sept. 6; and Monday, Sept. 7.
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