PRESS POINTS

Alternate-side parking no more

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People staying at home and away from their cars during the coronavirus crisis can now do so without worrying about moving their car once a week to the other side of the street.

At least for now.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has suspended alternate-side parking enforcement until March 24, and at that time, will take a deeper look at a potential longer-term suspension.

The efforts to suspend alternate-side parking in the community originated with Councilman Andrew Cohen and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, citing some of the self-quarantining already in progress after SAR High School and SAR Academy were two of the first schools in the state to shut down because of the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

“We are facing a nearly unprecedented global health crisis with a domestic epicenter in our very own backyard,” the Assemblyman and the councilman said in a release. “Amid the larger conversation about schools, employment, health care and more — people should not have to worry about where they are storing their cars. This is a time when we should be focused instead on taking care of ourselves, protecting others, and making sure that our city comes together to get through the coronavirus pandemic.”

Anyone who has received a ticket while in self-quarantine before the suspension was instituted can appeal to the city’s finance department, according to the mayor’s office. To do that, however, they must provide medical documentation or testimony, which can be considered when their case is reviewed.

This documentation can include an order from the city’s health department for mandatory isolation, or for those who do it voluntarily, calls and texts from the department, or a note instructing self-quarantine from the health department or a doctor.

Parking meters will still be enforced throughout the city.

 

CB8 keeps doors shut, but still available

Community Board 8 is going to do its best to keep operating, even while just about everyone is asked to keep their distance from everyone else.

While some committee meetings have been canceled, others are still on, but using online conferencing technology like Zoom or group calls.

However, anyone hoping to find someone working at 5676 Riverdale Ave., will be disappointed, since Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr., approved CB8’s office plan to have staff members telecommute.

That means that while they will still answer phone messages and respond to emails, they won’t be available for in-person discussions.

“We, at Community Board 8, have taken actions in accordance with the advice of experts to try to balance our completing the essential work on our plates while protecting the public, and each other, from unnecessary risks of the transmission of the virus,” CB8 said, in a release.

Follow all the local coverage of the coronavirus pandemic and how it relates to your neighborhood at RiverdalePress.com/coronavirus. Sign up for our newsletter to get daily updates on coverage and closing by sending your email address to newsroom@riverdalepress.com. And finally,  keep up with all the latest closures, postponements and what you can still take part in with our continuously updated list by clicking here.

Bill de Blasio, Andrew Cohen, Jeffrey Dinowitz, coronavirus, COVID-19, SAR High School, SAR Academy, Community Board 8, CB8, Ruben Diaz Jr., Michael Hinman,

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