On Monday, June 22, NYC graduated to Phase 2 in it’s reopening path. Say, “So long!” to Bill Ritter’s glorious wavy salt and pepper mane. This literal form of Samsonian inner strength showed the news anchorman for WABC-TV Eyewitness News 7 didn’t cave to vanity or a Flowbee’s empty promises. Here he is finally getting a haircut:
Phase 2 brings us the reopening of: hair salons and barbershops; children’s playgrounds; in-store retail; commercial building management; offices; real estate; retail rental, repair, and cleaning; vehicle sales, leases, and rentals; in-store retail; and restaurants can offer outdoor and take-out/delivery food services.
A couple of major changes from Phase 1 is that retail can offer in-store shopping as long as there is social distancing and face coverings; and restaurants can have socially distanced face-covering-optional outdoor dining. There are still some limits with retail and restaurants (respectively): malls are still closed; indoor on-premise restaurant and bar service are still not allowed.
Granted there were reports of restaurants testing the waters of outdoor dining in the Open Streets over the past couple weeks. There have been cautions from the Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio that if NYC’s COVID plateau starts to spike again, New Yorkers will have to be sent back to their room again.
Although playgrounds have reopened, social distancing ambassadors will be watching that COVID safety protocols are being observed. Dog runs remain closed. All at city playgrounds should wear a face covering and maintain at least six feet of distance between each child that does not share a household. NYC Parks notes, “Playgrounds are cleaned daily, however, play equipment is not sterilized. Please stay home if you or your child feels sick, and wash your hands frequently, including before and after using play equipment.”
Even though NYC is more open to forge a path to economic recovery, safety protocols are still in place. You can call 311 to report workplaces or circumstances that indicate a danger to staff or the public. How noncompliance is enforced is an unknown. It might be best to remember that the best offense is a good defense, and be extra careful out there.
For more information on NYC Phase 1 and Phase 2 click here!
The Greenline 