ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. Andrew Cuomo discussed the criteria for reopening during his press conference Monday, including monitoring new infections, as well as meeting capacity requirements for health care, diagnostic testing and contact tracing. He says after the May 15 New York State on PAUSE expiration, regions that meet the criteria can start working toward reopening.

Reopening our state is far more complicated than shutting down was.

If you open too quickly you can immediately have a backlash.

Other countries have seen this.

We must be smart.

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 4, 2020

He said regions must have had steady declines in hospitalizations and deaths for at least two weeks on a rolling average.

This means areas cannot exceed 15 new total cases or five new deaths on a three-day rolling average.

According to the Oneida County COVID-19 Dashboard, the three-day rolling average of new positive cases doubled to 32 on Monday, May 4, after an outbreak at a Madison County facility was reported.

Cuomo said the regions must also have fewer than two new COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital per 100,000 residents, per day.

Hospitals must also have at least 30% of the total hospital and ICU beds available, as well as a 90-day supply of personal protective equipment.

Areas must also have the ability to perform 30 tests for every 1,000 residents, per month.

Regions must also be able to trace the contacts of infected people. Cuomo says there should be a baseline of 30 contact tracers for every 100,000 residents.

When contact tracing is implemented, the Mohawk Valley will need at least 146 tracers.

If the criteria are met, businesses can then start initial phases of opening on May 15, in the following phase groups:

Phase 1

• Construction
• Manufacturing and wholesale supply
• Select retail with curbside pick-up

Phase 2

• Professional services
• Finance and insurance
• Retail
• Administrative support
• Real Estate and rental leasing

Phase 3

• Restaurants/food services
• Hotels/accomodations

Phase 4

• Arts/entertaiment/recreation
• Education

Upon re-opening, workers will have adjusted shifts, have to maintain social distancing and non-essential travel will still be restricted.

Cuomo says employees will be required to wear masks if they are in frequent contact with others, and may also be screened prior to entering a work facility.

More stringent cleaning and sanitizing practices will also have to be implemented at workplaces.

According to the state, the Mohawk Valley currently meets all requirements outside of the testing rate requiring 30 per 1,000 residents.