Today, November 23, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced parts of Onondaga County were subject to the orange-zone limitations due to an upward trending COVID-19 infection rate. This is an increase from the prior yellow-zone limitations issued earlier this month.

After Governor Cuomo expanded the yellow-zone within Onondaga County, he stated that the areas included within the orange-zone are parts of Syracuse, Solvay, DeWitt, and Lyncourt.  New York’s lookup tool is here: https://covidhotspotlookup.health.ny.gov/#/home  

The impacted areas within the City of Syracuse that are orange-zoned must have a 7-day positive test percentage average drop under 2% for three days at the end of a 10-day decline. The rest of the orange-zone must drop under 3%. The yellow-zone impacted areas must drop below 2%. Currently, Onondaga County’s yellow-zone 7-day average positive rate is 5.12%. The rate was 6.58% when the yellow-zone was initially announced.

In orange-zones schools are required to teach remotely and can “test out” to reopen for in-person learning if all students and staff that want to attend in-person schooling undergo COVID-19 testing. The testing must occur after the school has been closed for at least four calendar days after the zone designation has been announced and the school may be reopened as early as the fifth calendar day. However, all staff and students that attend in-person must first receive a negative COVID-19 test. To remain open, schools must continue to test 25% of the in-person student and staff each week.  

Some businesses may remain open, but high-risk businesses such as gyms and nail salons must close. Restaurants can offer outdoor dining, with a maximum of four patrons per table. Mass gatherings are limited to 10 people and houses of worship are limited to 33% capacity, with a maximum of 25 people.

Here at the Wladis Law Firm, we are closely monitoring COVID-19’s impact on New York and will continue to keep you updated. If you have questions concerning the microclusters and how these restrictions may impact your business, please contact us at 315-445-1700 or by contacting your normal firm employee.