http://longisland.news12.com/story/42102599/gov-cuomo-extends-eviction-moratorium-until-aug-20-bans-fees-for-late-payments?fbclid=IwAR2nSTMqwSP0eZ_jUlRkPOpVMUfcQ8HC2dCytLkEydz7n-fDqNl0rC069oc
(AP) – New York’s moratorium on outbreak-related evictions was extended Thursday for two more months by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The governor in March had issued a moratorium that lasted through June but said he wanted to reduce the anxiety of families struggling through the economic shutdown. It is now extended until Aug. 20. “I hope it gives families a deep breath,” Cuomo said at his daily briefing.

The executive order will also ban late payment fees for missed payments and allow renters to apply their security deposit to a payment, though they’d have to pay it back over time.

New York tallied 231 virus-related deaths on Wednesday. Though hospitalizations continue to decrease slowly, the daily death toll has hovered around 230 for four days.

Briefing Notes:

• There are 8,600 COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York.
• The net change in hospitalizations, intubations and the 3-day rolling average of hospitalizations are all down.
• 231 New Yorkers died on Wednesday due to the virus.
• The results of a hospital antibody survey shows that the infection rate among health care workers is lower than it is for the general population.
• Gov. Cuomo says the results show that masks, gloves and sanitizer work.
• Gov. Cuomo outlines the $25 million Nourish New York Initiative “to provide relief by purchasing food and products from upstate farms and directing them to food banks across the state.”
• The state in March banned tenants from being evicted. In added relief, it is banning late payments or fees for missed payments during the eviction moratorium.
• The rent relief moratorium period has been extended an additional 60 days until Aug. 20.