Cuomo Unveils More Details For Reopening NY Businesses

NEW YORK, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday released new details on how local economies will reopen amid declining infections of the new coronavirus.

Certain low-risk businesses will be allowed to reopen Friday, including construction, manufacturing, wholesalers, retail stores, agriculture, forestry and fishing. All retailers will be allowed to offer curbside pickup and drop-off or in-store pickup. Essential retail stores will be allowed to continue operating under current state regulations.

Cuomo also offered a glimpse at the timeline for other businesses. The second phase of reopening will include professional services, finance, insurance, retail, administrative support and real estate/rental leasing. The third phase includes restaurants/food services and hotels/accommodations, while the fourth phase includes arts/entertainment/recreation and education.

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Some recreational activities will also be allowed, such as landscaping, gardening, drive-in movie theaters, tennis and other outdoor activities.

At his daily briefing, Cuomo said the state continued to see coronavirus infections and deaths trending downward.

Total hospitalizations fell below 7,300 with a net change of minus 36. Intubations saw a net change of minus 53, and the number of people who died of COVID-19 fell to 161. That includes 112 in hospitals and 49 in nursing homes.

The number of new hospitalizations, meanwhile, ticked down to 488, its lowest level since March 19.

Regions will reopen based on seven metrics, Cuomo said.

1. 14-day decline in hospitalizations or under 15 new hospitalizations (three-day average)

2. Two-week decline in hospitalized deaths or under five new (three-day average)

3. New hospitalizations: under two per 100,000 residents (three-day rolling average)

4. Share of total beds available (threshold of 30 percent)

5. Share of ICU beds available (threshold of 30 percent)

6. 30 per 1,000 residents tested monthly (seven-day average of new tests per day)

7. 30 contact tracers per 100,000 residents or to meet current infection rate

The governor also released the names of the people who will make up the regional "control rooms" that will monitor infection and hospitalization rates and have the ability to close businesses should the rates spike.

In response to a reporter's question, Cuomo said the regional councils will be responsible for making sure workers have adequate access to day care services. Schools will remain closed through the remainder of the year.