NYC Will Enter Phase 2 Reopening Monday, Mayor Announces

NEW YORK CITY — New York City will enter the second phase of its reopening Monday, bringing barbershops and outdoor dining back into business, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday.

"Based on the really good indicators we've seen today," de Blasio said, "I'm very comfortable now saying we will start Phase 2 on Monday."

Between 150,000 and 300,000 workers could return Monday to businesses that include hair salons, offices, in-store retail, the real estate agencies and car dealerships.

The open restaurant plan allows places serving food to set up seating on curbs, sidewalks, backyards, patios and nearby plazas with help from Business Improvement Districts.

An estimated 5,000 restaurants will be able to take advantage of the program and restore 45,000 to the economy, de Blasio said.

Restaurants will not need to apply for new State Liquor Authority licenses to serve alcohol outside, the mayor promised.

But the SLA will have authority to immediately close bars and restaurants caught breaking reopening orders after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs an executive order Thursday.

Eateries can begin Friday to apply for self-certification for outdoor seating through the Department of Transportation, said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.

Promised Trottenberg, "It's going to be a quick and easy application."

Indoor dining will not be permitted under Phase 2.

Retail businesses and offices must function at 50 percent capacity with people wearing facial coverings when it is impossible to keep a 6-foot distance, according to state regulations.

De Blasio warned New Yorkers that those who reopened too quickly, before Monday, would face enforcement.

"Everyone is ready for Monday," said de Blasio. "Up until Monday, please respect the Phase I rules that are in place."

This announcement comes just one day after de Blasio told reporters he would not feel comfortable making a decision until viewing the weekend's COVID-19 tracking data, only to be contradicted hours later by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Thursday's COVID-19 tracking indicators showed hospitalizations, ICU patients and percentages of people testing positive remained well below the threshold for reopening, despite concerns that the George Floyd protest and initial reopening phase might have increased the spread of the virus.

The Mayor and the Governor's offices were engaged in a week of back-and-forth before de Blasio decided to rethink his hesitancy and hold faith with consistently low tracking numbers, the mayor said.

De Blasio, explaining his hesitancy, said, "Most New Yorkers would have their expectations lowered rather than have their expectations high then disappointed."