November 9, 2020
'Yellow' designation puts most of Erie County under new restrictions as Covid-19 cases spike
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has designated three cities and 11 Erie County towns as part of a "yellow zone" that will set new limits on public gatherings, bar hours and restaurant table capacity, and subject many students in prekindergarten through high school to new Covid-19 testing requirements.
Though Cuomo had foreshadowed his intention to create new focus zones in Erie County as part of his microcluster strategy, there's nothing "micro" about the new yellow zone that encompasses Buffalo and most first-and second-ring suburbs.
The microcluster strategy was designed to fight community spread of Covid-19 without shutting down large sections of the state. But County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said Monday that he spent much of his weekend ironing out the boundaries of the yellow zone with state officials and recommended that broader boundaries be established instead of focusing on smaller, individual communities.
"We agreed this is not a microcluster," he said of his conversations with the state. "This is a macro. This is large scale."
Erie County's yellow zone is larger than some other state zones that focus on particular neighborhoods or ZIP codes. Poloncarz said that given the community spread and travel between towns in Erie County, he and state officials agreed a larger focus zone is most appropriate.
"We do not want to shut down things," Poloncarz said. "We want to give everyone an opportunity to enjoy what our community has, but we cannot do that if we continue to see these rises in Covid-19 cases, especially at an exponential rate. In a very short period of time, they've been doubling."
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
The latest map and statistics: Covid-19 statistics from state and county departments of health, as well as new data from The New York Times' national Covid-19 tracking project. Read more
Poloncarz on Erie County's Covid-19 yellow zone: 'This is not a microcluster, this is a macro': "We have an opportunity, as a community, to get out of it without shutting down businesses," the Erie County executive said of the yellow zone label. Read more
Restaurants with 'razor thin margins' grapple with 'very, very tough' restrictions: Restaurants and bars in most of Erie County are facing new restrictions as the state tries to combat a rising wave of Covid-19 cases in the county. Read more
Most schools in Erie County affected by microcluster designation: In a yellow zone, schools that continue to offer in-person classes must test 20% of the students and staff each week. Read more
Here are the rules for New York State's 'yellow zones': Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday said parts of Erie County will be subject to "yellow zone" restrictions. Read more
Map: Erie County's microcluster 'yellow zone': See the parts of Erie County included in the microcluster "yellow zone" designation. Read more
As Covid-19 cases rise, part of Erie County labeled a 'yellow zone': "The virus is making headway and we're going to increase restrictions and we're going to increase enforcement," Cuomo said. Read more
Thinking of getting a Covid-19 test? Here's what you need to know: Anyone who wants a standard Covid-19 test can get one from the county or the state. It's easy, free and results come relatively fast. Read more
Pandemic Lessons: Why are we doing so badly – and how can we fix it?: This installment of “Pandemic Lessons” explores what we’re doing wrong – and how we can get it right. Read more
151 new Niagara County Covid-19 cases blamed on Halloween parties: "It's the most we've ever had," county Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton said as the county reported it now has 342 active cases. Read more
Niagara shuts down practice as MAAC basketball teams battle Covid-19: Niagara University's practice was suspended after a Covid-19 outbreak struck campus last week. Read more
High school basketball, wrestling, hockey seasons on hold: With Covid-19 infection rates rising in parts of New York State, an official said Monday that the state “is not inclined to open the winter sports season at this time.” Read more
Jays planning to play in Toronto in 2021, but GM admits alternatives are in play: In the world of Covid-19 and closed international borders, nothing is certain. And the Blue Jays know the possibility is open they could again be looking for a place to play. Read more
The Editorial Board: 'Yellow zone' sends a signal to stop community spread: We’re all part of the community causing community spread and everyone has a role to play in making it stop, writes The News' Editorial Board. Read more
My View: Grasping for positives in the new abnormal: The thing is, you can only be terrified so many times when it becomes pure survival to ignore another scare, writes Jennifer Angrisano-Gall. Read more
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