Cuomo: Long Island on Track to Begin Phase 1 Reopening on Wednesday

LongIsland.com

Phase 1 means opening of construction, agriculture, limited retail, manufacturing, and wholesale trade.

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More than two months after shutting down the economy on Long Island to flatten the curve of Covid-19, New York State governor Andrew Cuomo slipped in a bit of good news for the region today saying that Long Island is “Long Island is on track to enter Phase 1 tomorrow.”

 

The announcement was also posted on the New York State website saying that “Long Island is still on track to reopen tomorrow May 27th when their contact tracing operation comes online and if deaths continue to decline.”

 

What does it mean? In Phase 1 the below industries can start to reopen:

 

  • Construction
  • Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
  • Retail - (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off)
  • Manufacturing
  • Wholesale Trade

 

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone spoke about Phase 1 reopening of the economy for Long Island today during his daily update calling it an important milestone.

 

“If we can do this smartly and safely and I am certain that we can do that,” Bellone said. “We can do it in a way where we are not going to see a major spike in infections.”

 

He said that many local businesses will benefit from Phase 1 reopening but stressed how important agriculture was to Suffolk County.

 

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran called it good news in her daily press briefing.

 

“I know people are itching to get back to work. I know it’s going to take some time. It’s going to be a slow process to get back,” she said. “So I am really happy we’re starting that process tomorrow.”

 

Curran and Bellone especially pointed out the importance of Phase 1 reopening to Main Street businesses.

 

“This will also help our downtowns,” Curran said.