As reported yesterday on by our partners at WIVB-TV Western New York can begin Phase One of it's reopening TODAY (5/19/20).

Phase one includes construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and wholesale trade. Additionally, retail stores will be able to provide curbside pickup services.

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The Western New York region includes Niagara, Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties.

Businesses planning to re-open are asked to read guidelines the state has published on its “New York Forward” website, and affirm that they have read and understand them.

This plan must be obtained by the county the business is in and be made available to employees, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, following Cuomo’s briefing. He says businesses that fall under Phase Two should begin preparing their plans as soon as possible.

The County Executive also mentioned that all members of the Erie County Department of Health will take the online contact tracer course by 9 a.m. Tuesday.

A list of specific businesses that can reopen in Phase One can be found here.

Governor Cuomo says he and the state will work with our local sports teams on plans to play including the Bills, Sabres and Bisons.

“I want to watch the Bills,” Cuomo commented.

That being said, he says the organizations should plan on playing games without fans being there.

I am optimistic about the first phase of the opening, additional testing/tracing.  I just hope we all control any urge to just blinding plunge forward without necessary precautions.

Getting sports teams to participate however without ticket revenue is going to be a tough sell.

 

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