New York State has designated parts of Monroe, Erie and Onondaga Counties as yellow-zone COVID-19 clusters.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced in a conference call that the micro-cluster areas would face restrictions designed to slow the spread of the virus. Mass gatherings are limited to just 25 people. Schools have to increase coronavirus testing for students and staff, testing 20 percent of students and staff randomly each week. Restaurants and bars can seat no more than four people per table, and must close at midnight.
Included in the order are the City of Rochester, Greece, Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Perinton, East Rochester, Pittsford, Brighton, Henrietta, Chili and Gates.
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said the yellow zone designation is a sign that we’re going in the wrong direction and need to get back on track. Bello says he wants to avoid a shutdown, which could come if the area is moved to orange or red level designation.
Bello continues to say that most of the spread they’re seeing in Monroe County is actually from small groups of people meeting in different households without masks or social distancing, such as when watching a football game. They spread the virus, and people going to work then take it to their companies before they start to feel sick.
County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza says the Halloween weekend left the community with a new COVID-19 curve that needs to be flattened. He says families need to rethink their Thanksgiving plans or we’ll pay for it later.