CHENANGO – Governor Andrew Cuomo’s general PAUSE-New York ends on May 15th. This does not mean that all businesses will immediately be open.

We now begin a new chapter in our fight against coronavirus. Beginning on May 15, Chenango County can begin to open certain low-risk business and recreational activities as part of the phase one reopening plan. Chenango County is part of the Southern Tier Region, which is made up of the following eight Counties: Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins. Our Southern Tier Region along with Finger Lakes and Mohawk Valley regions, have met the metric criteria required to begin phase one of the reopening plan.

The process will be gradual. This is not an automatic opening of all businesses in the county and it does not mean that things will be opening up quickly. There is a detailed plan in place to reopen industries in four phases, if specific criteria continue to be met over time. The timing between phases will vary. We have all worked together successfully to flatten the curve and to decrease the virus. We must continue to do our part as a community and individually to contain the spread of the virus if we are to progress forward with reopening plans.

Chenango County will be reporting our numbers and measures out each week to a central “control room” that represents our Southern Tier Region. Representatives from our region will be working closely together to monitor the situation and help one another to reach our common goals. We are hopeful that our numbers will continue to improve and that our region will meet requirements to move through the phases to reopen. Reopening work and social life amid the coronavirus pandemic is not without risk. Please continue to follow recommendations to wash your hands, wear cloth face masks, and social distance at this time.

– Chenango Public Health Director Marcas W. Flindt