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Image courtesy of the Office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
Image courtesy of the Office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

NYS issues details on phase two of reopening: More retail, no restaurant changes

Fri, May 29th 2020 09:55 am

Details are now available for phase two of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “New York Forward” reopening process.

The state website reads:

“The guidelines below apply to non-essential businesses in regions that are permitted to reopen, essential businesses throughout the state that were previously permitted to remain open, and commercial and recreational activities that have been permitted to operate statewide with restrictions. If guidance has not yet been published for your specific industry, but you are permitted to reopen, please refer to the NY Forward Safety Plan template.”

Phase two includes:

  • All office-based jobs
  • Real estate services
  • Retail – in-store shopping 
  • Retail rental, repair and cleaning
  • Commercial building management
  • Limited barbershop and hair salon services
  • Vehicle sales, leases and rentals

Western New York is expected to enter phase two on Tuesday.

Summary guidelines for each industry are available to read HERE.

In short:

√ Offices must “limit the total number of occupants at any given time to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as set by the certificate of occupancy.”

√ Real estate professionals need, “Ensure that workforce (e.g. salespeople, workers, subcontractors, and vendors) and customer presence total occupancy is limited to 50% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as set by the certificate of occupancy.”

Mandatory procedures for retail stores include the following:

•Ensure 6 feet distance between individuals, unless safety or core function of the work activity requires a shorter distance.

•Reduce interpersonal contact and congregation through methods such as limiting workforce presence to only the employees necessary to conduct retail activities.

•The workforce and customer presence must be limited to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area set by the certificate of occupancy, inclusive of customers, who must maintain 6 feet of space from others and, in all cases, wear an acceptable face covering.

•Tightly confined spaces (e.g. elevators, small stock rooms, behind cash registers, narrow merchandise aisles) should be occupied by only one individual at a time, unless all individuals are wearing face coverings. If occupied by more than one person, keep occupancy under 50% of maximum capacity.

•Post social distancing markers using tape or signs that denote 6 feet of spacing in commonly used and other applicable areas (e.g. clock in/out stations, health screening stations, break rooms, cash registers, merchandise aisles).

•Limit in-person gatherings (e.g. meetings) as much as possible and use tele-or videoconferencing whenever possible. If a meeting is necessary, it should be held in an open, well-ventilated space with appropriate social distancing among participants.

•Establish designated areas for deliveries, limiting contact to the extent possible.

•Close all fitting rooms and amenities including self-serve bars and samplers.

•Employers must provide employees with an acceptable face covering at no-cost to the employee and have an adequate supply of coverings in case of replacement.

•Acceptable face coverings include but are not limited to cloth (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana) and surgical masks, unless the nature of the work requires stricter PPE (e.g. N95 respirator, face shield).

•Face coverings must be cleaned or replaced after use and may not be shared.

•Employers must train employees on how to put on, take off, clean and discard PPE, including face coverings.

•At checkout registers, employees must wear face coverings and employers must enact physical barriers such as plastic shield walls in areas where they would not affect air flow, heating, cooling or ventilation.

•Limit the sharing of objects (e.g. tools, registers and vehicles) and discourage touching of shared surfaces; or, when in contact with shared objects or frequently touched areas, wear gloves (trade-appropriate or medical); or, sanitize or wash hands before and after contact.

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