Onondaga County is ready for Phase Three of the restart of central New York’s economy later this week. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said following the clunky transition from Phase One to Phase Two a couple of weeks ago, local leaders are more aware this time around, of what the state will be doing.
"We understand more going into Phase Three, what the governor’s process was than we did in Phase Two,” McMahon said Monday. “So, assuming this isn’t going to be a data review on Sunday, day 16 or 17, we’re comfortable with the process.”
McMahon said he expects Phase Three to begin Friday or Saturday, two weeks after Phase Two went into effect. New York State’s guidelines for Phase Three would allow indoor dining to resume in restaurants, with similar restrictions that are currently in place for outdoor dining. Personal care businesses like tattoo parlors, spas, and nail salons would also be allowed to open.
McMahon has been pushing the state government about changing certain timelines it has for reopening businesses in New York. His latest push; getting people back into gyms and athletic facilities. He believes there are safe ways for people to work out together.
"Put regulations on it,” McMahon said. “Allow only a certain number of capacity in the gym, and regulate it, and then the gym has a decision to make whether it’s reasonable for them.”
There are still no state guidelines for opening gyms and fitness centers. It was not in the list of personal care businesses that can open as part of Phase Three.
Another business McMahon would like to see reopened is Destiny USA. The state says malls must remain closed, but updated guidance allows stores inside malls that do not have exterior entrances to offer curbside pickup "at or near the general mall entrance."
