A customer who entered the HSBC Bank at 57 Middle Neck Road last Friday has tested positive for the coronavirus.
A member of the Great Neck Business Improvement District, who asked not to be identified, said the customer reported feeling ill while at the branch. The member did not confirm where the customer contracted the illness.
HSBC’s Head of Communications Matt Klein said, “As we continue to monitor the developments of COVID-19, the health and safety of our employees and customers remains our first priority. We urge customers and our employees if you’re not feeling well, stay home and seek medical attention.”
Klein added, “We are taking proactive precautionary steps by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the branch. We have also made the decision to close the branch for 14 days so our employees can self-quarantine and monitor their health.”
All U.S. HSBC branches are operating on a modified schedule: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and will be closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays.
According to Klein, “This is to provide all our frontline employees time to look after their personal needs and families while continuing to provide our customers access to essential banking services they’ve come to expect.”
Village halls and schools throughout Great Neck are closed to the public but remain open and available via phone or email to aid residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
Village of Great Neck Mayor Pedram Bral was the first elected official throughout the nine villages to declare a local state of emergency. Bral made the announcement on March 13.
“My decision to proclaim a local state of emergency in our village is not designed in any way to escalate fears, spread chaos or cause panic, but to quell the anxiety that arises in the wake of a coronavirus threat by putting into place practical and necessary mandated procedures and protocols,” Bral said in a statement.
All parking regulations except for overnight parking have been suspended in the Village of Great Neck in order to accommodate residents working from home, families whose children have been sent home from college and health aides visiting senior citizens.
Village of Kings Point Mayor Michael Kalnick and Great Neck Estates Mayor William Warner also declared a local state of emergency to protect the public health of their residents.
All village elections have been postponed until April 28 in accordance with a state executive order.
“Public health officials have been clear that reducing density is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “and delaying village elections will help ensure poll workers and voters are not potentially exposed to the virus and at the same time maintain integrity in our election system.”
The Great Neck Public Schools District canceled in-person classes on March 13, prior to Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s announcing a two-week ban on schooling instructions March 15.
District Superintendent Teresa Prendergast urged parents and students to adhere to the guidelines handed down from the local and federal government throughout the pandemic.
“We are all navigating this unprecedented situation together,” Prendergast said in an email. “I urge our school community members to continue to follow all recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus as well as inaccurate information.”
Prendergast announced that district plays, performances, luncheons, student recognitions and all other “large school events” will be postponed through April 20. Two board meetings to discuss budgets on March 21 and March 23 were also postponed to be rescheduled at a later date.
Vigilant Fire Department President Philip Katz released a statement imploring residents to call upon emergency services only when there is a “true emergency.”
“…we [at Vigilant] want those who think of calling us to ask themselves two questions first,” Katz wrote. “(1) Can I get to the hospital by another means other than an ambulance? and (2) Is it better for me to stay home rather than risk of my being exposed to COVID-19 by going to a hospital that likely has many COVID-19 infected patients inside? If you can answer yes to either of these questions, you should NOT be calling an ambulance.”
The Great Neck Water Pollution Control District released a statement informing the public of precautionary measures taken to ensure the safety of its residents and employees.
The district is operating but is closed to the public until further notice. Travel restrictions for all district personnel are in effect and weekly public meetings have been changed to monthly, remote meetings during this period.
“The wastewater treatment process in Great Neck is unaffected by this outbreak: Coronavirus is an airborne-transmitted illness,” District Chairman Jerry Landsberg said. “The district has been proactively educating its staff on the prevention and spread of the coronavirus. The foremost concern for the district is the health and safety of our residents as well as our employees, and we will be taking every necessary precaution.”
Residents are encouraged to contact the district at 516-482-0238 or visit info@gnwpcd.net.
All branches of the Great Neck Library are closed until further notice, it said Tuesday.
The Town of North Hempstead declared a state of emergency March 13.
Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth issued a statement Sunday saying that all playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, and the town dog run are closed. Parks are open for passive use only.
“I cannot be emphatic enough: The only way to maintain public health right now is by staying apart. This includes social distancing—even for children,” said Bosworth. “While this may serve as a temporary inconvenience, understand that the decisions we are making can literally save lives.”
North Hempstead town facilities will remain closed until March 30. Essential services, including the clerk’s office, sanitation, and the 311 call center, will continue operating. All meetings, programs, and events have been canceled or postponed.
The town’s Project Independence grocery shopping transportation program for seniors will run on an expanded schedule, operating from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week.
“North Hempstead and our Department of Services for the Aging and Project Independence understand how incredibly difficult these times can be, especially for seniors,” Bosworth said. “We are proud to offer these extended hours to help our residents take advantage of when their grocery stores are less crowded.”
The Town of Hempstead, which declared a state of emergency March 16, has limited its town hall hours to Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Town clerk services will be unavailable until further notice.
The tax office is offering drive-through services at 200 North Franklin Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. All taxpayer forums for the month of March have been postponed.
This article has been updated with quotes from Matt Klein and the corrected address of the HSBC on Middle Neck Road since its initial publication Wednesday morning.
