AP Photo Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced an executive order extending the state’s moratorium on COVID-related commercial evictions and foreclosures an additional month, until Oct. 20.

The measure extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors in recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on business owners, including retail establishments and restaurants. Cuomo noted that the extension of the protection gives commercial tenants and mortgagors additional time to get back on their feet and catch up on rent or their mortgage, or to renegotiate their lease terms to avoid foreclosure moving forward.

“The pandemic remains far from over, and we need to continue protecting the business owners supporting their families amid restrictions necessary to protect the public health,” Cuomo said. “That’s why it’s the right decision to extend the eviction ban for commercial tenants another 30 days.”

The governor first announced a state moratorium on residential and commercial evictions on March 20 to ensure no tenant was evicted during the height of the public health emergency. The commercial eviction and foreclosure moratorium was extended through Aug. 20 and later through Sept. 20 by executive order, and the governor signed the Tenant Safe Harbor Act on June 30 which became effective immediately and additional legislation to provide financial assistance to residential renters and homeowners which has extended the moratorium for those tenants until the Emergency has expired.

Cuomo also has provided additional protections for residential renters from charges for late payment of rent, and allowed tenants to use security deposits to pay rent for residential tenants by Executive Order.