11: 41 pm

New York locals who commute to necessary tasks out of state now qualify for COVID-19 vaccines closer to house under the second phase of the Empire State’s shot program.

The Friday-night statement followed a Rockland County couple who work for a school district in New Jersey were turned away from a Westchester County vaccination site, according to The Journal News.

” Our particular goal is immunizing New Yorkers as rapidly and effectively as possible,” New York State Department of Health representative Gary Holmes said.

” The Governor’s Office, DOH has evaluated and adjusted our assistance to guarantee New Yorkers who are qualified as essential employees are able to get vaccinated no matter where they work– this tweak will assist keep all New Yorkers much safer as we continue to combat COVID,” Holmes continued.

The issue came to a head after Rockland County executives attempted to make local accommodations for the couple to receive a vaccination shot, only to be informed Thursday by the governor’s office that it would not be allowed, the paper reports.

New Jersey has not yet revealed vaccinations for school workers.

Gov. Cuomo apparently punted when inquired about the cross-state problem on Friday in Albany.

” I have no concept,” Cuomo said, according to the paper. “It resembles a mindbender.”

It was the 2nd reversal of the day from state officials when it pertained to immunizing more Brand-new Yorkers under Stage 1B of the state’s vaccination program.

Gov. Cuomo also announced that inmates at New York prisons and prisons who are over the age of 65 or “clinically frail” can start getting the COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday.

The move came hours after the state was served with a lawsuit for failing to supply vaccination for susceptible inmates on Rikers Island.