Coronavirus Updates & Resource Guide

The City of Poughkeepsie has developed this webpage to provide you with the latest information pertaining to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and to serve as a resource guide.

City Hall has reopened to public access with new health and safety protocols in place.

Some Departments will operate by appointment only, in order to assure social distancing is adhered to, and in order to ensure that members of the public may conduct their business swiftly, and spend as little time as possible in the building. Read more here.

If you have an emergency situation, please call 911. The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department and 911 center are fully staffed and operational for emergency calls.

More on Police Operations & Procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic here.

Contact Information Related to Virus

New York COVID-19 hotline and website:
888-364-3065
coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

Dutchess County coronavirus updates:
dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.htm

“Dutchess Responds” connects people to services:
dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/Dutchess-Responds-COVID-19.htm
Email: [email protected]
phone: 845-486-3555

The Vassar College Office of Community-Engaged Learning and others have created a Dutchess County Community Resources Web Map that shows locations of different community resources and businesses

COVID Informational Flyer – Dutchess County

City of Poughkeepsie Phone Numbers & Information

  • Police Department, non-emergency, 845-451-4000. 

Between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, contact the following departments:

  • Assessor: 845-451-4039
  • Building, Planning and Community Development: 845-451-4007
  • Office of the Mayor: 845-451-4073
  • City Chamberlain: 845-451-4276
  • Corporation Counsel: 845-451-4065
  • Finance Department and Tax Collector: 845-451-4030
  • Public Works: 845-451-4111

Phone calls will be returned as soon as possible.

City Services

Parks: The parks, including skate and dog parks, playgrounds and tennis courts, are open but remember to practice social distancing.

Payments: Payments for city services can be made online at cityofpoughkeepsie.com/finance, by mail at 62 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or by using the drop box near the front door at the Police Station on Mansion Street.

Section 8: Applications for Section 8 Housing must be made in person at 1 Civic Center Plaza between 9 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday. Call 845-451-4020 for more information

Coronavirus guidelines and testing sites

If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, stay home and contact your doctor. You will need a doctor’s approval before being tested, and testing at this point is limited.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a “frequently asked questions” page.

Rite Aid also has started a COVID-19 swab testing at no cost for adults — including those not exhibiting any symptoms of the virus — at its 709 Main Street pharmacy in the City of Poughkeepsie. Patients are required to provide government issued identification, be at least 18 years old, and need to pre-register online at www.riteaid.com to schedule a time slot for testing.

MidHudson Regional Hospital has opened a drive-through COVID-19 sample collection site, available by appointment only, and residents can call 845-303-2727 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday. Callers will receive a screening and can set up an appointment to get their sample collected, if appropriate. Results may take up to 5 days to receive.

Poughkeepsie urgent care has a site at 696 Dutchess Turnpike Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. You first have to schedule a visit by going to www.pulse-mdurgentcare.com

Health and Mental Health

New York is providing a special opportunity for eligible individuals to enroll in insurance coverage through New York State of Health in light of the crisis at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov

Dutchess County Helpline provides mental health/substance abuse resources 24/7: 845-485-9700

Food Distribution and Services

The Poughkeepsie City School District has started a food distribution of cold breakfast and lunch items Monday through Friday. For times and locations, please visit: https://www.poughkeepsieschools.org

Dutchess Responds, Dutchess Outreach, Community Action Partnership and others have updated their food pantry lists and are continuing to work through that in this evolving situation. When using these sites or list, it’s best to call ahead first using the provided contact information on those lists.

Homeowners & Renters

The Department of Financial Services has issued a directive to New York State mortgage services that is still in effect to provide  mortgage relief to mortgage borrowers impacted by the novel coronavirus.

The state’s moratorium on COVID-related evictions has been extended until August 20 and fees for missed or late rent payments are banned during the moratorium.

While there is a temporary moratorium on evictions, there is currently no moratorium on a tenant’s obligation to pay rent or an owner’s obligation to provide essential services.

Public Transportation

Dutchess County has resumed full service. Find out more here: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Public-Transit/Public-Transit.htm.

Metro-North Railroad schedules can be found here: www.mta.info/mnr

Utilities

Under the Governor’s direction, major utilities will suspend service shutoffs during the outbreak.

For more information and to file a complaint if your service is shut off, visit: http://www.dps.ny.gov/

Central Hudson is waiving late fees for customers impacted by COVID-19. See more information at https://www.cenhud.com/my-energy/safety/coronavirus-safety/

Businesses and Nonprofits

Dutchess Business Notification Network

The Dutchess Business Notification Network provides information for businesses and nonprofits at www.dutchessbnn.com

Empire State Development (ESD)

Empire State Development (ESD) has created this “frequent asked questions” site to give businesses information about regulations, potential aid and general guidance related to the coronavirus.
https://esd.ny.gov/novel-coronavirus-faq-businesses

New York State Job Opportunities

State Department of Labor Lists Immediate Openings: https://nyhirenow.usnlx.com/

Consumer Scams and Price Gouging

State Attorney General Letitia James has provided guidance to residents about the resources available to them and warnings about potential consumer scams and price gouging related to COVID-19. www.ag.ny.gov/coronavirus

Poughkeepsie Public Library District

The Library District has reopened, but with changes to abide by new health and safety guidelines. Find out more here: https://poklib.org/

Restaurants Open

These sites are updating what area restaurants are open and, in some cases, delivering:

Give Blood

The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients suffering from cancer. f you are healthy and feeling well, please make an appointment to donate as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).