Map: Where the yellow and orange zones are in Erie and Niagara counties

The orange zone designation means businesses designated as "high-risk nonessential," such as gyms and salons, must close.

Public and private schools in most of Erie County must end all in-person classes in their buildings because of the orange zone designation.

For the first time, part of Niagara County was placed into the yellow zone of Covid-19 restrictions by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Wednesday.

The color-coded zones are part of the state's microcluster strategy, designed to target hot zones while avoiding more sweeping regulations lik…

The only exceptions to the ban on visits are in cases where a visit is deemed medically necessary, or in end-of-life compassionate care situations.

Local elected officials say they hope Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's decision to impose further pandemic-related restrictions in Erie and Niagara coun…