SULLIVAN COUNTY - New York State has still not made any decisions on whether or not summer camps can open this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving local governments wondering how to proceed.

There has been an uproar from local residents urging the county to close down camps, but it is a decision made by the state and the Department of Health.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced that his administration is developing guidelines if camps were to open, but there is new evidence that shows children are being affected by the Kawasaki-type virus, or toxic shock syndrome, that appears to be linked to COVID-19.

Camps are likely in Phase 4 of the reopening plan—recreation, arts, entertainment, education—meaning they would be one of the last businesses to open. If they are allowed to open proposed guidelines include taking campers' temperatures, smaller group sizes, and not allowing field trips.

County Manager Josh Potosek said that they ask about camps every day on their regional call with the governor's office, and there has been announcement yet.

“We're continuing with Public Health to work with the camp operators on how they can open safely,” Potosek said. “We're still awaiting word from New York State on guidance or determinations on if they can open and to what capacity.”

He said if they were to open they would need enough time to plan and put safety precautions in place.

“We've heard from people on both sides of the debate over opening such facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” acknowledged Public Health Director Nancy McGraw. “In addition to the basic questions of ‘if' and ‘when,' we've been giving answers about what constitutes a summer camp and how it's regulated differently from other seasonal occupancy units.”

Seasonal residences, rentals and Airbnb's are open, as they are privately owned and not the same as summer and sleep-away camps.

Potosek said it's possible to have both residents and visitors in the county safely, as long as everyone follows guidelines such as wearing a mask, staying six feet apart and washing your hands.

“Done in a safe manner summer visitors can have a positive impact on our economy,” Potosek said. “A lot of our businesses, certainly the tourism industry, sees a large uptick in business when our summer visitors are here, whether they're restaurants or small hotels.”

Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff said if the camps do open, there will be restrictions under the state's guidelines.

“I hear a lot of comments on the street, I have a lot of people calling me, and they seem to be more geared towards the Orthodox camps,” Schiff said. “There are a lot of camps in this county that are not Jewish, they're just regular camps. The majority of them from what I've heard said they won't be opening this summer. That could change, if the governor does allow them to they probably will, they're like any other business.”

He added that if you see something improper call your local police agencies. He said most cases have been misunderstandings and people have been cooperative.

The Sullivan County Association of Supervisors sent a letter to the NYS Department of Health asking for guidance on if and how camps will open.

“Sullivan County is home to town run summer camps, Boy Scout and Girl Scout camps, private camps, campgrounds, RV Parks and more,” the letter states. “As a result of the pandemic, Sullivan County Town Supervisors are under tremendous pressure to close all summer camps for the season, or at the very least, to implement health and safety standards and policies to protect the public.”

The letter says the population of the county swells from 75,000 or so to more than 300,000 in the summer. Representing the county's 15 townships, they asked the state to provide answers and to have a clear plan in place.

Sidebar:

The New York State Department of Health exercises authority over seasonal operations, but the County would like to provide the following list in order to explain and clarify the issues (the actual language of the laws can be found at https://regs.health.ny.gov/content/volume-title-10):

• A State-recognized campground, whether publicly or privately owned, consists of five or more campsites

• Permits from the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) are required if the campground operates for more than 60 hours a year, and permits are valid for up to three years

• Children's camps are defined not by the number of campsites but by who they serve and how they're operated

• Summer day camps serve those 16 years of age or younger

• They operate sometime between June 1 and September 15 (travelling summer day camps operate sometime between May 15 and September 15)

• They involve two or more activities (at least one of which is an active recreational activity that includes a significant risk of injury)

• Children's overnight camps serve those 18 years of age or younger

• They offer overnight accommodations and indoor/outdoor organized activities

• They must have a permit from NYSDOH if occupied by children for at least 73 consecutive hours at any given time

• A written camp safety plan is required for permitting

• Application for a permit must be submitted at least 60 days before the first day of camp

• Permits are good for one year

• Temporary residences include hotels, motels and cabin colonies that 11 or more people are occupying for no more than 180 consecutive days

• A permit from NYSDOH is required and is valid for one year

• Seasonal temporary residences are those that are not habitable year-round, often due to lack of insulation and underground piping; and they are issued permits under NYSDOH

• Most bungalow colonies and some weekend homes fall under this category

• Local code enforcement offices have authority to enforce local building codes

• Second homes and most weekend residences are allowed to be occupied year-round, so long as they are properly winterized

• Local code enforcement offices have authority

• No NYSDOH permit is required