New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced the Western New York Region will enter Phase 4 Reopening effective today.

The Western New York Region includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.

“This is great news for our region and Chautauqua County,” said PJ Wendel, Chautauqua County Executive. “This shows we have continued to do our part to limit the spread of the disease. I am hopeful that other industries that were not able to open would get the guidance to open safely and responsibly.”

In Phase 4 regions, indoor religious gatherings of up to 33 percent occupancy and social gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed.

In addition to the previously designated businesses, Phase 4 will allow the following businesses to reopen:

¯ Higher education such as community and junior colleges, universities, graduate and professional schools, medical schools, and technical schools;

¯ Low-risk outdoor arts and entertainment such as outdoor zoos, botanical gardens, nature parks, grounds of historic sites and cultural institutions, outdoor museums, outdoor agritourism, and local agriculture demonstrations and exhibitions;

¯ Low-risk indoor arts and entertainment such as indoor museums, historical sites, and aquariums; and

¯ Film and movie production.

Before Phase 4 businesses reopen, they must complete New York State’s guidance documents available at https://forward.ny.gov/. Guidance includes Summary Guidelines for employers and employees; Detailed Guidelines, which contain a business affirmation component; and a Business Safety Plan Template, which must be completed and posted at the premises.

Businesses who have any questions about the guidance and reopening can contact the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) at (716) 661-8900 or Empire State Development (ESD) at (716) 846-8200.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Chautauqua County announced it has one new case of the coronavirus.

County statistics are as follows:

¯ six active cases, continue to recover under orders of the Local Health Official per NYS Public Health Law including:

¯ one new case today of a female in her 20s;

¯ 105 cases under quarantine/isolation orders by the Public Health Director and being monitored. Not all of those being monitored are confirmed to have COVID-19 but have either shown symptoms, are awaiting results, or have risk factors;

¯ 0 persons hospitalized in Chautauqua County as of June 26.

To date:

¯ 116 recovered cases;

¯ 7 deaths;

¯ 129 total confirmed cases; and

¯ 14,231 negative test results.