Select New York State Regions Begin Phase 3 Today

Today is a big day, a day that many in Otsego, Chenango and Delaware Counties have been waiting for:  Phase 3 of New York’s reopening. New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that today Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country and the Southern Tier regions enter phase 3 reopening.

Phase three includes indoor dining and personal care services, such as spas and nail salons. In addition, Governor Cuomo says that the state is allowing localities to open public pools and playgrounds at their discretion while following state guidance.

Each phase of reopening is spaced out by at least two weeks, meaning the absolute earliest the counties could enter the fourth phase of reopening would be at the end of this month but that depends on continued monitoring of data from state officials.

Governor Cuomo stated yesterday that he'll be keeping an eye on certain numbers related to the spread of COVID-19. Yesterday Cuomo said, " "There is now one number to watch closely and that is the daily testing number because it is a snapshot of the day before and will tell us if the infection rate is going up in any given location. We've been doing everything right up until now, but we have to stay smart and keep following all the necessary precautions to keep getting those numbers down."