For those who live in Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties, Phase 3 means for the first time in three months, residents can dine inside a restaurant or visit a nail salon or spa.
"'Safety First, People Always.' This is the motto that has guided our actions since the first days of the pandemic," Rockland County Executive Ed Day said. "Within your county government, we have implemented change on a massive scale. We have moved desks, installed barriers, posted more signage than I have ever seen and overall, adapted at a speed previously unknown in government."
Phase 3 of reopening allows restaurants to resume in-person dining at 50% capacity, and many restaurants plant to continue offering increased outdoor dining to make up as much of the difference as they can. Still, many restaurant owners say with profit margins so slim, half capacity won't help them recover from being closed for so long.
Nail salons, tattoo parlors, tanning salons, massage parlors, and waxing services are among the businesses reopening in Phase 3, which also includes gatherings of up to 25 people.
Safety precautions are being taken to keep people safe, including the wearing of face coverings and enhanced clearing procedures.
"The precautions put in place here and at other businesses and industries which are reopening are designed to keep you safe," Day said. "Our strengthened contact tracing program stands ready to investigate any new cases and contact the people and places which may have been exposed so that they can take proactive steps to protect themselves and others. These steps include precautionary or mandatory quarantine depending on your level of contact with an infected person."
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