WNY on track for phase 3 reopening Tuesday

Governor Andrew Cuomo
Photo credit Governor Andrew Cuomo

Albany, N.Y. (WBEN) - We've come a long way in Western New York and come Tuesday it appears the Buffalo and western region of New York State will take the next step and enter phase 3 of reopening from a coronavirus shutdown.

Governor Andrew Cuomo Saturday announced Western New York is expected to enter Phase 3 of reopening June 16 and the Capital Region is expected to enter Phase 3 of reopening on June 17 following a review of regional data by global public health experts. Business guidance for phase three of the state's reopening plan is available here.

"As we look ahead, Western New York is expected to move to Phase 3 this Tuesday and the Capital Region should move to Phase 3 on Wednesday. But as usual, we have to stay smart and continue proceeding with caution. Look around the nation and look at the spikes other states are experiencing - we're not in a vacuum," Governor Cuomo said. "In just about half the states, infection rates are climbing up. New York is the anomaly - we reopened and our rates continue to come down, but only because we continue to remain smart and vigilant in this fight against the COVID virus."

The Governor also announced the state has reached the lowest number of hospitalizations and deaths since the pandemic began. The number of total hospitalizations was down yesterday to lowest level since March 20 to 1,734. Thirty-two people in New York passed away due to COVID-19, down from a record-high of 800 just nine weeks ago.

The Governor also signed legislation suspending the forfeiture of unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 state of emergency, aligning with the Executive Order issued by the Governor on May 14, 2020. Over 44 million Americans across the United States have applied for unemployment insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this number is expected to grow as the pandemic continues. Individuals who have had forfeit penalties levied against them from past claims are currently unable to collect their unemployment benefits. This new law will allow those individuals to collect these critical benefits in their time of greatest need even if forfeit penalties have been enacted against them.

The Governor also signed legislation repealing criminalization of wearing a mask in public. The Governor previously issued an Executive Order requiring that New Yorkers wear face coverings while in public to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and this new law will remove any legal conflicts with the outdated provision banning the wearing of masks in public and the Governor's Executive Order.