Monday Afternoon News Brief:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Cuomo announced during his press briefing today that schools in regions that are in phase 4 may reopen in the fall if the region they are in have less than 5% infection rate on average for 14 days.  Schools themselves must follow health department guidelines.  The health department’s guidelines include masks and PPE whenever students or staff cannot maintain social distancing.  It also includes guidelines on cleaning, screening, tracing, transportation and food service.  Schools will have to close if infection rates climb above 9% over a 7 day average.  Final plans must be submitted to the state health department by July 31^st and final decisions will be made the week of August 1st-7th.

Genesee Community College has announced that it’s fall sports will be cancelled due to the coronavirus.  Men’s and women’s soccer, basketball, swimming and diving, and women’s volleyball will all be affected by this decision.  Most of region 3 colleges are doing the same thing.  Assistant Vice President of student engagement and inclusion Kristen Schuth says that this is the best path for GCC to ensure the safety and well being of student athletes coaches and training staff and that she looks forward to the day when it is safe for the fields and floors of GCC to hold competitions again.

Gas prices continue to be down in western NY but are rising slowly across the us.  The national average for regular unleaded is $2.20 which is 2 cents higher than a week ago.  Last year it was $2.79.  The Western NY average is $2.21 cents, down 2 cents from last week.  Last year the average across NY was $2.89.