Some counties are lifting their voluntary shelter in place orders, but that does not mean we have the green light to resume pre-coronavirus activities.

Leaders say social distancing is working and its helping to starve the virus.

“You know the threat," Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said. "This threat has been with us. This threat is a killer. You know somebody this has impacted. You probably even know or have heard of somebody that’s been in the hospital, so you don’t need me to tell you how to do more social distancing within your own calendar and your own lives.”

McMahon asked neighbors to voluntarily shelter in place for two weeks, and limiting their activity worked to limit the spread of COVID-19. The average number of new daily cases decreased by four over that time, McMahon said.

Just because that order expired doesn’t mean the message stops.

“It was a technique and a tactic that needed to be done to get the community’s attention," said McMahon ."The community has responded. We are not at all suggesting it time to relax social distancing. What we are actually saying is we want you to do more.”

Other Central New York counties are taking similar measures. Madison County leaders lifted its voluntary stay home orders. They say you should still only go out in public when it’s essential.

“You can’t go and be hugging your neighbors and that kind of thing," said John Becker, the chair of the Madison County Board of Supervisors. "You have to be aware that our seniors are very vulnerable. Keep your distance, and just be aware and use common sense on what you’re doing.”

Leaders say their message is consistent: stay home, stop the spread, save lives. Because it's working, they say they are optimistic a restart is on the horizon.