Hudson Region Preps To Begin Phase 3 Tuesday

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Restaurants are set to offer indoor dining and personal care businesses are preparing to open on Tuesday, when the seven counties that make up the Mid-Hudson pandemic region are expected to enter Phase 3 of the state’s reopening schedule.

The Mid Hudson began reopening on May 26, when construction, manufacturing, curbside retail, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting began. Phase 2 went into effect on June 9 and included Outdoor Dining, Professional Services (including hair salons & barbershops), Retail, Admin Support and Real Estate/Rental & Leasing.

Phase 3, which includes reopening for nail salons, tattoo parlors and other personal care businesses in addition to indoor dining for food service establishments, is scheduled to begin as long as the coronavirus infection rate in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester does not increase.

There are limitations, of course. Among the requirements for indoor restaurant seating are a maximum occupancy of 50 percent, not including staff, and tables placed six feet apart.

Tuesday's the day despite a last-minute plea from four of the region's county executives.

They said Gov. Andrew Cuomo ignored local input: "requests that we make, not for the 'political reasons,' you so often rail against during your briefings, but that we make to protect the wellbeing of our residents and the future of our communities," said Marcus J. Molinaro, Dutchess County Executive; Steven M. Neuhaus, Orange County Executive; Mary Ellen Odell, Putnam County Executive; and Edwin J. Day, Rockland County Executive. SEE: Put Hudson Valley In Phase 3 Before Father's Day: County Execs.

Instead, Cuomo at his last daily briefing, on Friday, announced that New York City will begin phase 2 of reopening Monday. SEE: '111 Days Of Hell': Cuomo Gives Last Daily Coronavirus Briefing.

"But COVID isn't over," Cuomo said. "We still have much more to do."

"We have to watch out for a second wave of possible infections coming from other states, and many people need help to get their lives back to normal — but with all of that, it's clear: Over the past three months, we have done the impossible," Cuomo said.

Tracking for the Hudson region shows that infection rates remain low, according to the most recent data from the state health department.

Looking forward, Cuomo said, there is still a need to monitor local infection rates and local governments must ensure compliance and do contact tracing, he said.

Local officials are doing that and more.

"Our numbers are very favorable as we move closer to entering Phase 3," said Rockland County spokesman John Lyon. "We urge residents to visit the Dashboards we have created that display all of this data publicly. Look at the numbers and trends yourself and see how far we have come over the last 3 months."

In Putnam County, Team Putnam was created to help businesses plan their restarts and adapt to new requirements.

“The best thing that the businesses can do in advance of reopening is make a plan and be prepared,” said Kathleen Abels, the president of the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation. “We can help with that. There are several new steps required and plenty of new guidelines to follow, so knowing in advance what you need to do is important. Business owners should check our website at putnamedc.org and contact us with questions.”

But progress will depend on residents' ongoing use of good judgment.

“We must all use common sense,” Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said. “We must continue to exercise social distancing, wear masks and other PPE and wash our hands thoroughly and often. Anything less could increase local coronavirus numbers and lead to another PAUSE, and that’s the last thing any of us want."

For more information:

• New York Forward (State Reopening Guidelines)
• Food Service Reopening Guidelines
• Empire State Development