Mayor Adams Declares Monkeypox State of Emergency in New York City 

The following comes on the heels of Governor Hochul’s declaration as well as that of the NYC Health Department.

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today issued an emergency executive order declaring a local state of emergency due to the monkeypox outbreak and released the following statement: 

“As the monkeypox outbreak continues to grow in New York City and across the country, I am today issuing an emergency executive order declaring a local state of emergency. New York City now has over 1,200 reported cases, approximately 25 percent of cases nationally, and we are continuing to see the numbers rise. This order will bolster our existing efforts to educate, vaccinate, test, and treat as many New Yorkers as possible and ensure a whole-of-government response to this outbreak. In partnership with federal, state, and local officials we will continue to respond with the urgency required to keep people safe and this order is another tool to help us do so.” 

As the governor has declared a state of emergency in New York, this emergency executive order allows the mayor to suspend local laws, and enact rules, as necessary, to protect the well-being and health of all New Yorkers. The separate public health declaration of emergency issued on Saturday by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) allows DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan to issue commissioner’s orders amending provisions of the New York City Health Code to protect public health and slow the spread.