Phase Two, here we come!: Mid-Hudson Valley’s economy continues to rebound from crisis

HARLEM VALLEY — On Friday, March 20, Governor Andrew Cuomo placed New York on lock down as it did its utmost to battle the deadly coronavirus pandemic. Shutting down all non-essential businesses, closing all schools and banning all public gatherings in the Empire State — the epicenter of the health crisis in the U.S. — Cuomo’s New York State on PAUSE Executive Order has only recently been slowly lifted, in phases, region by region. 

The Mid-Hudson Valley Region, which includes Dutchess County, has seen a continued decline in new confirmed COVID-19 cases; it was allowed to enter Phase One of reopening on Monday, June 1, with construction, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, wholesale trade and retail (pick up and delivery only) starting up again, as well as dental offices reopening. 

On Tuesday, June 9 (also the day this paper went press), Cuomo gave the region the green light to enter Phase Two of reopening its economy, as it also showed signs of progress in terms of the number of new COVID-19 infections, the severity of infections, hospital capacity, testing and contact tracing meeting his metrics.

Under Phase Two, the categories that are allowed to reopen must meet certain benchmarks. They must: reduce capacity to 50%; follow social distancing guidelines (including wearing face coverings when less than 6 feet apart); and reduce congregation and personal contact, according to Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro’s office.

The businesses allowed to reopen in Phase Two include:

• Hair salons and barber shops (only haircuts, stylings and colorings are permitted);

• Offices;

• Real estate;

• In-store retail (fitting rooms must be appropriately sanitized);

• Vehicle sales, leases and rentals;

• Commercial building management;

• Outdoor dining at restaurants (tables must be spaced out and staff must wear face coverings, as must patrons when not at their table);

• Stores located within malls that have their own external entrances open to the public, separate from the general mall entrance.

On Thursday, June 4, Molinaro announced that the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) released new guidance “allowing outdoor, on-premises service of alcoholic beverages and/or food to resume [under Phase Two].”  

The county exec is also providing options to expand outdoor dining premises for dining establishments in the county. According to his office, the SLA guidance, which followed suggestions from Molinaro’s office, allows “for the expansion of premises, under the current establishment’s license, where food and beverages may be consumed, including on municipal-owned land [e.g. sidewalks, streets, etc.] contiguous to a licensed establishment in coordination with the local municipality.”

To expedite the process, Molinaro planned to issue an Executive Order before June 9, waiving local regulations and requirements that could cause potential burdens or delays for local dining establishments hoping to expand outdoors.   

The Executive Order will assist in local efforts to provide access to municipal-owned land. Molinaro is strongly encouraging local leaders to help their local restaurateurs in taking advantage of this opportunity.

“Now more than ever before, we need to think creatively and be willing to push beyond normal operating procedures to give our local businesses a real chance at survival,” stated Molinaro. “These business owners have sacrificed a great deal, closing down or severely restricting their operations, to keep our community healthy and safe. We must be willing to think creatively to help return them to vitality and bring our Main Streets back to life.”

Already entered in Phase Two of reopening in the state are the Capital Region (which includes Columbia County and the nearby communities of Ancram, Ancramdale, Copake, Copake Falls, Craryville, Elizaville and Hillsdale), Central New York, the Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, the North Country, the Southern Tier and Western New York.

According to the governor’s Executive Order, the following businesses will remain closed under Phase Two:

• Malls (specifically, any indoor common portions of retail shopping malls);

• Dine-in and on-premise restaurant or bar service, excluding take-out or delivery for off-premise consumption;

• Large gathering/event venues, including but not limited to establishments that host concerts, conferences or other in-person performances or presentations in front of an in-person audience;

• Gyms, fitness centers and exercise classes, except for remote or streaming services;

• Video lottery and casino gaming facilities;

• Movie theaters, except drive-ins; and

• Places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, family and children’s attractions.

Last week, the governor announced that regions that are in Phase Two of reopening will  be able to hold worship services at 25% capacity.

Cuomo also announced last week that day camps may begin operating on June 29, subject to safety guidelines still to be announced.

But in an email sent Tuesday, June 2, Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell warned residents that even though the region is slowly coming back to life and everyone is craving for a return to normalcy, they should continue to be cautious.

“We still strongly recommend that everyone treat each and every person you see like they are COVID-19 positive by practicing social distancing, proper hand hygiene, avoid touching your face and common surfaces, and most importantly STAY HOME until absolutely necessary to leave,” he advised. “By learning the towns’ positive cases we don’t want anyone to feel a sense of false confidence that the virus is not in their community. In order to slow the spread, we need to stay vigilant on these prevention measures no matter where the positive, confirmed cases reside.”

An email from the governor echoed those sentiments.

“Even if it’s no longer on the front pages, the COVID virus is still out there, and the threat to public health is far from over. The success we have achieved thus far is due to the actions of the people of New York who are making smart choices based on the facts,” he wrote. “The battle is not over yet and we need to remain vigilant. Let’s not blow it now.”

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