SU limits gatherings as Cuomo names parts of Onondaga County ‘orange zones’

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Parts of Onondaga County, including the city of Syracuse, are now in an “orange zone” due to rising coronavirus cases, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a press briefing Monday. 

The orange zone also includes Solvay, DeWitt and Lyncourt, Cuomo said. Areas in the zone must close high-risk businesses such as gyms, reduce gatherings to a maximum of 10 people and limit outdoor dining to four people per table.

Schools also must close and transition to online learning for at least four days. If the school cleans the entire building and tests all of its students during that time, it can reopen for in-person instruction, Cuomo said.

Onondaga County has set several records for new cases in recent weeks, recording about 1,792 active cases of the virus as of Sunday and 74 coronavirus-related hospitalizations last week. For an area to transition to an orange zone, it must have between a 4% and 5% infection rate. Onondaga County reported a 5.12% infection rate as of yesterday.

“You should look at the state in terms of your community,” Cuomo said. “That’s where you shop, that’s where you say hello to your neighbor, that’s where your kids play, that’s who your kids play with. Influence your family’s behavior and your community’s behavior.”

Syracuse University is in the designated orange zone, Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie said in a campus-wide email Monday. Over the next 48 hours, the university will limit gatherings to the required 10 people and reduce outdoor dining to four people.

The university transitioned to online learning Nov. 12 amid rising cases on campus. SU also suspended all in-person activities and closed libraries and recreation facilities, including the Barnes Center at The Arch and SU’s satellite fitness centers. Under the orange zone restrictions, the Barnes Center will remain closed until further notice, Haynie said.

“We are working now to understand what, if any, further implications this change in status will have on our campus,” Haynie said. “We continue to be in close contact with the New York State Department of Health and Onondaga County Health Department, and will update you as additional guidance is provided to the University.”

The transition to the orange zone comes two weeks after Onondaga County entered the yellow zone on Nov. 9, limiting gatherings to 25 people or fewer and requiring bars and restaurants to close at midnight.

Cuomo urged New York residents to stay safe during the Thanksgiving holiday and follow public health guidelines to limit the COVID-19 infection rate.

“You can bring the rate up a lot easier than you brought the rate down,” Cuomo said. “If our actions change, the rate will change.”