COVID-19 Update – Phase 3 Coming – Youth Sports too

COVID-19 Update – Phase 3 Coming – Youth Sports too: Amid fears of increasing Coronavirus cases in southern states from Florida to Arizona, new cases in New York State and Westchester continue to decline while infection rates hold steady. On Sunday, there were 620 new cases in New York State and 37 new cases in Westchester County. Last week new COVID-19 cases statewide dropped to 5,145 from 7,081. In Westchester County there were 327 new cases last week, down from 448 the previous week. With 435,314 people receiving COVID tests last week, the states infection rate remains steady a just under 1.2%.

Guidelines for Personal Care Businesses 

Meanwhile, the New York State Department of Health released new Guidelines for Phase 3 reopening last week. It is anticipated that Westchester County will be eligible for Phase 3 on or about June 23. Businesses eligible for Phase 3 reopening include indoor dining in restaurants (currently open for outdoor dining only) and non-hair personal care services. Including, spas, massage therapy, nail salons, cosmetology, UV and non-UV tanning, or waxing, tattoo and piercing facilities, and appearance enhancement practitioners. (Hair salons and barbershops opened last week under Phase 2 Guidelines).

Phase 3 businesses are subject to the standard employee screening, testing and tracing requirements, hygiene, sanitization and disinfectant practices for staff and physical plant, physical distancing guidelines, and recommended practices such as touch-less payment systems and appointment only services as Phase 1 & 2 businesses. However, Phase 3 Guidelines for Personal Care businesses require some additional steps. First, facials, face waxing, face massages and any personal care service that would require a customer removing their facemark is still prohibited under Phase 3 Guidelines.

Nail salons and waxing services must ensure that manicure and pedicure baths and bowls, and wax containers are cleaned and disinfected between each use. Plus, no double-dipping of wax applicators, and single use practices of towels, finger bowls, spatulas is required. Spa facilities must close saunas, steam rooms, or any other services that take place in enclosed spaces. And, as you can imagine, there are some very detailed guidelines for tattoos parlors and piercing services. You can see all Phase 3 Guidelines here.

Youth Sports, Sleep Away Camps, Gatherings of 25 

Finally, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday that some “low risk” youth sports would be allowed to resume in all regions that have qualified for Phase 3 reopening on July 6. Youth sports allowed to reopen on July 6 include baseball, softball, gymnastics, field hockey, crew and cross country. These recreational activities were originally slated for Phase 4. But make sure you are wearing face masks in the stands. However, after announcing that summer day camps can open on June 29, the Governor announced that sleep away camps will not be allowed to reopen this year. Finally, Phase 3 Guidelines will now allow for gatherings up to 25 people – an increase from the pervious limit of 10.