Livingston County Shares Governor’s Strategy for Reopening NYS Economy

Over the weekend, Governor Cuomo unveiled a broad strategy for the phased, region-based reopening the New York State economy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights of the plan include:

·        Upstate regions would likely reopen first, followed by downstate regions. Reopening would be dependent on COVID-19-related hospitalizations declining for 14 days – per CDC guidelines – as well as results of antibody testing and positive tests for the virus.
·        Phase One would start sometime after May 15, 2020. Construction and manufacturing businesses that operate with “low risk” of spreading COVID-19 would reopen, followed by a two-week assessment period.
·        Phase Two would include the reopening of other businesses, depending on how essential the businesses are and how “risky” their operations are in terms of spreading COVID-19. School reopening would be assessed in this phase.

Governor Cuomo recently appointed Bob Duffy, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, as special advisor to coordinate the reopening strategy for the Finger Lakes region.

Livingston County Administrator Ian M. Coyle stated, “We look forward to working closely with state officials, public health experts, and regional business leaders to assess the best path forward for reopening the Finger Lakes economy.  The reopening will not be a one-size-fits-all, and I appreciate the recognition from the Governor’s Office that certain areas and business sectors are more apt to open back up earlier than others.”

“As we begin these discussions, it is important to remember that – as a community – we must remain vigilant and not let up in our fight against this virus. We must continue to adhere to social distancing and sanitation protocols in order to slow the spread of COVID-19,” continued Coyle.