New York City On Track For Phase 3 Opening July 6th

NBC News York reports:

New York’s COVID hospitalizations fell below 1,000 for the first time since mid-March, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday, a day after he and the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut implemented a mandatory 14-day quarantine order for people traveling to the tri-state area from viral U.S. hotspots.

At the same time, the former epicenter of the national epidemic, New York City, is on track to enter Phase III of Cuomo’s four-step reopening plan on Monday, July 6, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.

New York City, which has lost tens of thousands to the virus in the last three months, now boasts one of the lowest COVID transmission rates in the U.S. Its seven-day rolling positivity rate for daily positive tests is just 1 percent.

Time Out New York reports:

Unlike Phase 2, where a lot of businesses returned, only two categories are set to return under Phase 3: restaurants/food services and personal care.

The state’s health and safety guidelines will still be in place, such as reducing the indoor capacity to no more than 50%, keeping tables and people separated by six feet, and requiring that everyone where face masks at all times, regardless of distance.

So while we can go out to eat, the wait may be longer than usual since there will be fewer tables available. Personal care applies to non-hair-related personal care services, including tattoo and piercing facilities, massage therapy, spas, cosmetology, nail specialty, tanning, or waxing.