Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Executive Order No. 56.7, extending a state disaster emergency for Bronx and New York counties through tomorrow amid severe staffing shortages. The move comes as a citywide nurses’ strike that began Jan. 12 has forced hospitals to lean on temporary and travel nurses to keep emergency departments and critical care units running.
What the order does
The extension keeps in place the terms, conditions and temporary suspensions first set out in Executive Order No. 56 and carries them through Feb. 12, 2026, according to Governor Kathy Hochul’s office. The order gives state agencies flexibility to deploy additional staff and, where needed, loosen certain licensure and credentialing rules so qualified clinicians from other jurisdictions can practice temporarily in the affected counties.
Hospitals say services continue
Hospital systems including Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork‑Presbyterian say emergency rooms remain open and that they are maintaining care by bringing in agency nurses and shifting schedules, though some elective procedures have been postponed, as reported by CBS New York. City and state health officials have also coordinated with hospitals and the state Department of Health to monitor patient safety during the work stoppage…