As many regions across the state are planning to reopen in the coming days, leaders say they need more guidance from the state on what that means. Some say the regulations should be relaxed on businesses to allow them to reopen freely.
What You Need To Know
- There are no state guidelines for businesses to follow when reopening
- "It doesn't make sense" why some businesses must sell products curb-side, leaders say
- Four regions in the state will begin Phase One of a restart on May 15
“They start right out with the group by saying all of these must be curb-side service only," said Scott VanEtten, the chair of the Steuben County Legislature. "I mean it’s ridiculous, because you could have a shoe store in a shopping plaza that has to bring your shoes out to you at the curb. Yet across the parking lot sits Walmart that’s been selling the shoes right along normally. It doesn’t make sense.”
VanEtten wants to make sure small businesses in the Southern Tier are set up for success. More services could be included in a restart, he said. For example, VanEtten asks why are post offices open but DMVs are closed?
“Either the state starts giving answers to these regional groups, like they should, or they in fact say you guys start making your local decisions," said VanEtten. "Empower them to do that.”
Regional leaders are also waiting for state guidelines on how businesses should reopen. In Steuben County, leaders are giving business owners a template on the best practices to reopen.
It’s easy to close businesses, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said. Reopening during a pandemic is new for everyone.
“We have to be nimble," said McMahon. "We have to be able to pivot at every step of this process. I know it’s frustrating for a lot of the business owners. We just don’t have great information for them yet, but we’ll get through all of this.”
Leaders say they want as many businesses as possible to open as soon as possible as safely as possible.