Coronavirus: Local Updates

The coronavirus has finally made its presence known here in the Capital Region and in response, many events are getting canceled.

We'll try to keep you up to date as best as possible with all of the local things that are either canceled or closed.

Here are the closings and cancelations we know of so far, in addition to other local updates on COVID-19:

Thursday, June 11

• Several fairs announced they would be canceled this year, including Washington County and Altamont 
• Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced public playgrounds and pools would be opening
• Lake George steamboats will soon be allowed to set sail

Monday, June 8

• New York State parks began taking reservations for camping
• Metered parking resumed in Albany
• Gov. Cuomo announced that outdoor graduation ceremonies of 150 people or less would be allowed in New York

Wednesday, June 3

• Phase 2 of NY's reopening officially began
• Restaurants were given the green light to begin opening up this week
• Free coronavirus antibodies became available for grocery employees

Wednesday, May 27

• Vermont announced a free fishing day
• The CDC said we're seeing more, "aggressive" rats come out as a result of the pandemic
• Local marinas began taking reservations
• Guidance was issued on summer camps

Monday, May 18

• The Capital Region hit the necessary criteria to begin to reopen this week

Friday, May 15

• The North Country will begin opening up today
• Retail stores in Vermont were given the OK to open up May 18
• Summer camps were canceled in Saratoga
• Great Escape released a plan for reopening

Friday, May 8

• New York State extended rent relief through Aug. 20
• Several drive-thru food pantry drives were scheduled
• New scams related to COVID-19 surfaced

Tuesday, May 5

• Gov. Cuomo closed schools for the remainder of the year
• Albany International Airport began requiring facemasks

Wednesday, April 29

• NY Dairy Farmers introduced a way to help people in need
• The NY Democratic Primary was canceled
• Guilderland opened up a testing site
• Gov. Cuomo bobbleheads were released to raise money for COVID-19 efforts
• A Kansas farmer sent NY an N95 mask because we're more in-need

Monday, April 27

• The CDC released 6 new symptoms of COVID-19 people should be aware of
• Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a plan to reopen in phases
• The Troy Farmers Market began taking online orders
• Mobile testing sites began opening in Schenectady this week

Friday, April 24

• Saratoga County began giving free milk to families
• Two cats in New York State tested positive for COVID-19

Wednesday, April 22

• Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state is planning to reopen by regions
• Protests are planned for today in Albany
• The governor also announced marinas and boatyards would be opening with restrictions
• A local grilled cheese cafe announced they would be closing permanently
• A hazard pay bonus was proposed for frontline workers

Tuesday, April 21

• Drive-thru COVID-19 testing made its way to the Capital Region
• Antibody testing began around the Capital Region
• Food trucks reopened in Albany

Friday, April 17

• Albany canceled its Memorial Day parade
• Stimulus checks went out
• Wearing a mask in public became mandatory in NY
• The Saratoga Race Course announced they will still be opening

Thursday, April 9

• Another local company began making hand sanitizer
• Country legend John Prine died from the coronavirus at 73

Tuesday, April 7

• Gov. Cuomo pledged to fine anyone found in small gatherings up to $1,000
• A Bronx zoo tiger tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend
• Local firefighters began doing birthday greeting drivebys

Updated: Friday, April 3

• Spring Break was canceled throughout the Capital Region
• Albany Med began taking NYC COVID-19 patient transfers
• Scammers set up fake COVID-19 testing sites
• CMA Fest was canceled
• Great Escape delayed its seasonal opening
• Sam Adams started offering grants
• The Empire State Building was lit up like an emergency siren

Updated: Monday, March 30

• A Clifton Park company began designing hospital beds
• Albany police confirmed the rumors about a curfew, fines were untrue

Updated: Tuesday, March 24

• Tanya Tucker reschedules show at The Egg
• Free delivery and runner program in Albany
• Country stars continue to host live music streams
• Coronavirus scam sweeping the nation
• Emergency toll service begins on Thruway

Updated: Friday, March 20

• Dunkin Donuts shops announce that they will continue to stay open during coronavirus
• Gov. Cuomo tells all non-essential employees to stay home
• Many local businesses and school districts are offering food assistance
• Yankee Distillers giving away alcohol to sanitize
• Gov. Cuomo closing more businesses Saturday
• National Grid helping many to pay bills

Updated: Thursday, March 19

• Price Chopper/Market 32 is hiring 2,000 part-timers
• Schenectady's Cornell's Restaurant closes for good because of the coronavirus

Updated: Wednesday, March 18

• New York indoor shopping malls to close Thursday night
• Gov. Cuomo sets limit for non-essential workforce
• These local restaurants are offering delivery and/or take-out
• Albany's Capital Distillery is giving away homemade hand sanitizer
• Crossgates Mall announces new hours and some stores closing

Updated: Tuesday, March 17

• Gov. Cuomo gave updated numbers on NY infected persons and said we have officially surpassed 1,000 positive COVID-19 cases
• Rivers and Saratoga Casinos closed

Updated: Monday, March 16 

• Coronavirus vaccine trial is now underway
• Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered a shutdown of all casinos, gyms, and bars at 8 p.m. tonight
• Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered a two-week shutdown of all schools in the state
• Amtrak limited service to only route to Albany and Niagara Falls
• New York adopted a "no disconnect" policy on utilities
• East Greenbush canceled crime
• School-aged children were offered free internet

Updated: Friday, March 13 

• The PGA Masters Tournament was postponed
• Local grocery chains started to impose buying limits
• "In the Presence of Proof With Deborah Hanlon" was postponed
• Some local school districts began closing (click here to see which ones)
• WGNA's New Music Showcase With Tenille Arts was postponed
• Granger Smith's show at Frog Alley Brewing was rescheduled
• NCAA canceled all Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments
• Governor Cuomo has released a statement restricting gatherings of more than 500 people
• The Albany Patroons have canceled the remainder of their season
• SUNY and CUNY schools have decided to move to "distance learning" for the remainder of the spring semester
• RPI will also be moving classes online
• Albany has announced that they have canceled the annual St Patrick's Day parade
• UAlbany specifically has had their first positive coronavirus case and in response has canceled classes for today (Thursday, March 12th)
• The upcoming NCAA Tournament at the Times Union Center will, so far, continue but will be played without fans
• The 11th Annual Mac & Cheese Bowl at Siena College has been canceled
• There will be no Siena College home games until after March 29th
• HVCC and Maria College will both be extending their spring break for an extra week
• Skidmore College is suspending classes until March 22nd
• HV Gamer Con has postponed all events until September