Long Island officially entered phase three of reopening from the coronavirus shutdown on Wednesday.
Phase three allows restaurants to open indoor dining at 50 percent capacity as well as personal care, such as nail salons, tattoo parlors, massage therapists, and spas.
“We are very anxious and excited to move into phase three,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone told reporters Tuesday during his daily coronavirus news briefing. “It is a huge milestone.”
Upstate New York has already entered into phase three while New York City entered phase two on Monday. If no spikes in coronavirus cases are reported, Long Island is on track to enter the fourth and final phase on July 8. Phase four includes education, recreation, and arts and entertainment.
Businesses set to reopen during phase three are preparing with measures to help protect customers from the coronavirus. Disposable menus, silverware and dishes will be used to reduce the risk of transmission and make customers more comfortable and at ease with their safety.
The latest phase comes after Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned of complaints of people who did not comply with social distancing rules earlier in the month in the Hamptons and New York City. The governor addressed these concerns by threatening to “roll back the reopening in those areas” if local governments and restaurant owners fail to enforce the law.
Concerns have also risen with the record spike in cases in states such as Florida, where the economy opened up with no social distancing or mask requirements. Cuomo has said he is considering ordering anyone who arrives in New York from Florida self quarantine for 14 days, but no decision has been made to date.
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