BY ANDY GARDNER
North Country This Week

St. Lawrence County is expected to move into phase four of re-opening on Friday, but some of the restrictions could impact summer fishing tournaments.

It will allow low-risk indoor and outdoor arts and entertainment, film and TV production, higher education and professional sports without fans, social gatherings of 50 people and religious gatherings at 33% capacity, according to an announcement from the governor’s office.

It will exclude gyms, movie theaters and malls, according to Joe Lightfoot, R-Ogdensburg, who chairs the county legislature.

Lightfoot said that Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced earlier on Wednesday that those coming to New York state from high-transmission areas will be asked to quarantine for two weeks.

“So much for Bassmaster, if that’s the case,” Lightfoot said. “There are a whole plethora of businesses and events even that are still up in the air over this. There’s so much out there that hasn’t been specifically mentioned.”

He cited as an example a proposition he is aware of to hold a tractor pull in Massena later this year.

“It’s an odd thing for the North Country, but there’s a plan underway in Massena … of course it’s not specifically mentioned. It’s an outdoor activity. One could presume it could be held under Phase Four conditions, but because it isn’t specifically mentioned it leaves it up in the air a little bit,” Lightfoot said.

The county board chair says he hasn’t heard anything to indicate that phase four could be delayed at the last minute, but said “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“I don’t doubt [Phase Four will start on time]. I don’t have any information to the contrary nor have I heard any rumblings that it will be delayed,” Lightfoot said.

About a month ago, Phase Two was put in limbo when at the last minute the state announced they were delaying moving to that phase. Less than 24 hours later, the governor reversed course and Phase Two proceeded as planned.

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