Chemung Chamber to Cuomo: Reconsider guidance for micro-cluster zones

ELMIRA, N.Y. — The Chemung County Chamber of Commerce has sent a letter urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to “adjust guidance and provide additional resources to further support and protect” local businesses placed in micro-cluster zones.

Due to a spike in cases, businesses in Chemung County have been placed in the orange and yellow micro-cluster zones, the organization noted.

Although some businesses, like restaurants, are able to continue to provide a portion of their services, other businesses like gyms, fitness centers, salons, barber shops, and other personal-service professions “have been forced to close entirely,” the Chemung Chamber said.

The organization called the restrictions “devastating” to these businesses, many of which were the last to reopen when New York began its phased re-openings after the complete shutdown.

The Chemung Chamber noted that Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss, working with the county’s public health director, has been “unable to establish any link” between the increase in cases and those businesses providing personal services, including gyms, fitness centers, salons, and barber shops.

In addition, residents within the orange micro-cluster zone and individuals that normally travel to this zone to patronize these businesses are simply driving to neighboring communities for those same services.

“This seems counterintuitive to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and is ultimately damaging to our local economy, both immediately and in the long run,” Kamala Keeley, president & CEO of the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce, wrote. “As we try and help businesses navigate this crisis, regulations like these, although well-meaning in nature, further lessen the chance these businesses will survive, let alone thrive.”

The Chamber went on to request that Cuomo consider updates to the orange micro-cluster zone guidance. The organization also urged that the state provide additional resources to be able to “effectively” test within the community and provide “adequate” contact tracing.

Visual credit: Chemung County Chamber of Commerce Linkedin page