LI Entering Phase 2 Of Reopening Businesses: What To Know

NEW YORK, NY — Long Island will follow the Hudson Valley in reopening businesses this week, welcome news for those eager to get a haircut and dine out. The Hudson Valley entered the second phase Tuesday and Long Island will do so Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.

He called New York a "national, if not international, success story" in reducing the spread of the coronavirus. Regions that continue to avoid significant spikes in the infection rate could begin phase three in as little as two weeks, Cuomo said.

The first phase of the NY Forward plan allowed certain industries to reopen, including construction, agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, retail (limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off), manufacturing and wholesale trade.

Phase two will allow people to visit hair salons and eat outside at restaurants.

As Patch previously reported, hair salons and barbershops will reopen with certain restrictions, as will professional offices. Retailers can allow in-store shopping, and real estate offices can reopen their doors. Furthermore, car dealerships can reopen for sales and leases, and film work will be allowed to resume, which creates millions of dollars in economic activity and hundreds of jobs.

Customers and workers will see a new normal, though.

Businesses in each industry must remain at or below half capacity and individuals must continue social distancing.

At barbershops and hair salons, people must keep 6 feet apart inside when not receiving or giving hair services. Waiting rooms must remain closed, masks will be required, lines will be prohibited and nonessential amenities — including product samples, magazine areas and water fountains — are banned. And men can forget about getting beard trims.

Restaurants that offer outdoor dining must have tables spaced 6 feet apart, and all staff must wear masks. Patrons will also be required to wear face coverings when not seated. In preparation for phase two, many municipalities have already announced plans to close off downtown roads to help restaurants add outdoor space. Several Long Island commerce chambers have also asked residents to be mindful when participating in outdoor dining, noting that many restaurants were not designed for outdoor service and staff will be forced to carry food and drinks much further than usual.

Retail stores must give workers face coverings for free, and employees must wear them at checkout registers. Retail stores also have to install physical barriers such as plastic shield walls in certain areas.

Office workers will also have to remain 6 feet apart, and wear face coverings when they come close to others. In-person gatherings will be limited, while tele- and video-conferencing are encouraged. Moreover, employees will have to stagger their arrival and departure times to reduce congestion in lobbies and elevators.

Click here to see more details about how each industry will reopen.

Cuomo said New Yorkers should monitor the state's new, daily coronavirus dashboard, which shows the percentage of positive tests out of thousands of samples. A four- or five-day increase in infections could mean the region will have to start closing businesses again. The governor noted day-to-day spikes could simply be hot spots that need to be isolated by tracers. In that case, the rate of infection would be controllable and businesses would not need to close.