Positive Tests Approach 1% as Phase 2 Begins!

Positive Tests Approach 1% as Phase 2 Begins!! It’s a big week for the reopening of the New York State economy. On Monday, after an 80-day lockdown, New York City enters Phase 1 of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s NY Forward plan – which opens retail businesses for curbside pickup. With this, all 10 New York State regions have qualified for at least the first phase of NY Forward. Seven New York regions have already reopened on Phase 2 which includes retail trade, hair salons and barbershops, and a host of other businesses including offices, real estate, professional services and manufacturing. On Tuesday, June 9, Westchester County joins six other Mid Hudson region counties in qualifying for NY Forward’s Phase 2 plan, as well.

Though not originally part of the Phase 2 plan, Cuomo announced last week that, following a similar decision in Connecticut, outdoor restaurant dining would be moved up from Phase 3 of the NY Forward Plan. With that decision, outdoor restaurant dining will reopen on June 9, as well. Indoor restaurant dining, however, remains part of the Phase 3 plan – which is widely anticipated to go into effect on June 23. Cuomo also announced last week that summer day camps could reopen on June 29 – though the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) has not yet written guidelines for camps as they have already done for other Phase 2 businesses.

New COVID Cases drop to 1.2%

While some applaud and others anguish at the pace of New York’s economic revival, Cuomo’s actions are being made against a backdrop of continuing good news on the COVID-19 front. Statewide, over two and a half million New Yorkers have been tested for the Coronavirus, with 378,799 tested positive – 14.8%. On Sunday, 58,054 New Yorkers received Coronavirus tests.  702 of them tested positive – 1.2%. In Westchester County, there were 46 new COVID cases on Sunday and 30 on Saturday. The two-day total of 76 new cases was 1.2% of the approximately 6500 people tested. At the pandemic’s peak on March 25, Westchester saw 1253 new COVID cases – 21% of the tests that day.

NYS DOH Guidelines for all businesses

NYS DOH has written detailed mandatory guidelines for safety, hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, as well as further recommendations for all businesses. They begin with mandatory screening for all employees followed by a 14 day quarantine and contact tracing for any staff who test positive. All businesses must operate at 50% capacity, follow strict six foot distancing guidelines and make hand sanitizers available for all staff and customers including in fitting rooms. And masks are a must for staff and customers.

NYS DOH Guidelines for Retail Stores and Hair Salons

Retail stores must close self serve bars, samplers and bulk bins; encourage touch-less payment, self bagging, and shop by phone – so call ahead as some boutiques will be open by appointment only. Hair salons must close non-essential amenities including product samples, water fountains, and magazine areas. They are also asked to install barriers between work stations, and limit walk-ins by establishing an appointment policy whereby customers  wait in their cars until they are summoned inside for their appointment.

Guidelines for Restaurants

In addition to the general guidelines outlined for all businesses, restaurants may not seat more than ten people (of the same party) at a table and must provide a six foot separation at bars and communal tables. Restaurants must also provide customers with single use paper/napkins, disposable menus and/or menus that are displayed on white boards/chalk boards/televisions or projectors, where possible. They must also implement single use condiments, and prepackaged or pre-rolled silverware. And must maintain hand hygiene stations at high touch areas for both staff and for customers waiting to be served food or drink.

For more infö check out these recent articles.

Outdoor dining opens at these restaurants this week!

NY State Announces Phase 2 Guidelines