5 NY Regions Allowed To Begin Phase 2 Of Reopening Businesses

NEW YORK, NY — Five New York regions can begin phase two of reopening, including barbershops and hair salons, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday. Furthermore, the governor said New York City is on track to begin reopening the week of June 8.

The upstate regions allowed to begin phase two include North Country, Mohawk, Finger Lakes, Central New York and Southern Tier. Coronavirus-related data in those regions has been reviewed by county, regional and state officials, as well as global virology experts, Cuomo said.

Phase two includes reopening office-based jobs, retail for in-store shopping and retail services. The governor emphasized that office buildings must remain at half capacity and workers must be screened every day.

Barbershops and hair salons will also have to remain at 50 percent capacity and workers will have to wear both facial coverings and face shields while performing hair services. Customers will also be required to cover their faces.

Massages, hair removal, facial and nail services remain banned, he said.

Retail stores that reopen for in-store shopping will have to remain at half capacity and workers will have to cover their face when interacting with others. Customers will have to cover their faces and can be refused if they aren't wearing a mask.

Malls will remain closed except for stores with outside entrances.

The news comes as the state continued to see a downward trend in the number of COVID-19-related deaths, hospitalizations, intubations and intensive care admissions. Cuomo said 67 people died of the disease Thursday. There were 152 new, daily hospitalizations.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joined Cuomo via teleconference Friday and said just 5 percent of people tested for the virus in the city Thursday were positive for the disease.

Cuomo also announced the release of a new state dashboard showing how each region is progressing in controlling the spread of the virus.

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