New York Extends Healthcare Staffing Shortage Disaster Emergency

NY Governor Executive Orders

Published February 6th, 2026

Detected February 14th, 2026

Summary

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has extended the declaration of a disaster emergency due to healthcare staffing shortages through February 8, 2026. This extension continues the provisions of Executive Order 56, which was initially issued to address a strike by nursing personnel and its impact on hospital staffing levels.

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What changed

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has issued Executive Order No. 56.5, extending the declaration of a disaster emergency related to healthcare staffing shortages through February 8, 2026. This order continues the terms and conditions of Executive Order 56, which was originally declared on January 9, 2026, to address severe staffing shortages caused by a nursing personnel strike in Bronx and New York counties. The emergency declaration aims to ensure the continuity of care and patient safety during this critical period.

Healthcare providers in Bronx, New York, and contiguous counties must remain aware of the continued emergency measures and any specific suspensions or directives outlined in Executive Order 56. While the order states it is not intended to afford leverage in collective bargaining, the extension signifies the ongoing critical nature of the staffing situation. Compliance with any continued emergency provisions is mandatory for the duration of the extension.

What to do next

Review Executive Order 56 and its extensions for any specific operational directives or suspensions affecting healthcare providers.
Ensure continued adherence to emergency staffing protocols as required by the extended disaster declaration.
Monitor for any further updates or modifications to the disaster emergency status.

Source document (simplified)

February 6, 2026

No. 56.5: Extending the Declaration of a Disaster Emergency in the Counties of Bronx, New York, and Contiguous Counties Due to Healthcare Staffing Shortages in the State of New York

No. 56.5: Extending the Declaration of a Disaster Emergency in the Counties of Bronx, New York, and Contiguous Counties Due to Healthcare Staffing Shortages in the State of New York
Executive Order 56.5 No. 56.5

E X E C U T I V E O R D E R

EXTENDING THE DECLARATION OF A DISASTER EMERGENCY IN THE COUNTIES OF BRONX, NEW YORK, AND CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES DUE TO HEALTHCARE STAFFING SHORTAGES IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK

WHEREAS, a strike of nursing personnel in Bronx and New York counties has caused several hospitals in the State to experience severe staffing shortages, affecting the availability and delivery of care, threatening public health and safety, and the ability to provide critical care, including to vulnerable populations, at a time when respiratory viruses remain widespread;

WHEREAS, to protect public health and safety, on January 9, 2026, I issued Executive Order 56 declaring a State Disaster Emergency in the counties of Bronx, Nassau, New York, and contiguous counties;

WHEREAS, the terms, conditions, and suspensions of Executive Order 56 are a temporary measure to ensure continuity of care and patient safety, and are not intended to afford leverage to any party in collective bargaining; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Section 28 of Article 2-B of the Executive Law, do hereby find a continued need for a disaster emergency order in Bronx and New York Counties and do hereby extend the State Disaster Emergency as set forth in Executive Order Number 56 and continue the terms, conditions, and suspensions contained in Executive Order Number 56 as applied to Bronx, New York, and contiguous counties through and including February 8, 2026.

G I V E N under my hand and the Privy Seal of the
State in the City of Albany this 6th day
of February in the year two thousand
twenty-six.

BY THE GOVERNOR

Secretary to the Governor

Translations

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