Three regions meet phase one requirements

FINGER LAKES--Some 50 days after the New York state "pause" was first enacted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in reaction to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), three regions in the state will begin the phased reopen stage beginning May 15. On Monday, May 11 Cuomo detailed the seven metrics needed for the reopening, while stating the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley regions have met the criteria. He added the North Country and Central New York are also close to meeting the goals.
The metrics have been established based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of State, and other public health experts.
New York City, the epicenter of COVID-19 in the United States, meets four of the seven reopening metrics. There have been over 335,000 confirmed cases in New York and over 21,000 deaths.
Phase one is not, however, a generalized reopening. This first stage includes construction; manufacturing and wholesale supply chain; retail for curbside pickup and drop-off or in-store pickup; agriculture, forestry and fishing. In addition, low-risk business and recreational activities such as landscaping and gardening; outdoor, low-risk recreational activities such as tennis; and drive-in movie theaters will also be permitted.
"Businesses have to put safety precautions in place," said Cuomo in Irondequoit on Monday. "We understand what has to be done, how the workforce has to have personal protection. They have to be socially distant. The workspace itself in some cases has to be adjusted, reconfigured."
Locally, Yates County now has had 30 confirmed COVID cases. 21 have recovered and three have died. Ten are in isolation or quarantine. Schuyler reported on Tuesday the first new case in four weeks. Ten are in isolation or quarantine. Steuben County has had 245 confirmed cases, 148 recovered, seven hospitalized and 39 deaths. 173 are in isolation or quarantine.