Governor Cuomo Announces Outdoor Dining is Allowed Beginning 6/4

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted in Phase 2 of reopening.

Restaurants in the seven regions - including the Southern Tier - that have already entered phase two can reopen for outdoor dining beginning tomorrow, June 4th.

Outdoor tables must be spaced six feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings and customers must also wear face coverings when not seated. Numerous other guidelines must be followed, which are linked below for your reference.

ALL RESTAURANTS planning to offer this service must:

  • Review the guidelines
  • Ensure that you can follow the guidelines and have all supplies/materials handy
  • Prepare your Safety Plan and have it posted/available on site
  • Ensure that your workforce understands and can comply with the guidelines
  • Submit the Affirmation at the end of the Guidelines to NYS
More Resources for Reopening
Operating Businesses from Phase 1 or 2 Should:

  • Review your industry specific guidelines - all linked below in this email
  • Develop plans and procure necessary supplies to adhere to the guidelines
  • Create your Safety Plan and keep on premises (link to template below, or create your own plan)
  • Ensure that your workforce understands and can follow the guidelines
  • Submit the Affirmation that you will operate in accordance with the guidelines

The Chamber recommends reading/digesting the guidance, e nsuring that you are prepared for reopening, and having your plan in place and ready to share - prior to reopening.

Do not submit the affirmation until your business is ready to adhere to the guidelines. However, if you opened in Phase 1 or 2, please adhere to the guidelines and submit your affirmation immediately. Any non-compliant businesses will potentially put their business at risk by opening prior to meeting the guidelines - and be aware that you could have complaints filed against you for doing so.

Additionally, information for Phase 3 & 4 industry sectors will be shared as soon as it is available.
Beginning to use the existing guidelines/plans to formulate your plans is strongly encouraged.
Phase 2 Industry Guidance by Sector
The newly issued guidelines apply to non-essential businesses in regions that are permitted to reopen, essential businesses throughout the state that were previously permitted to remain open, and commercial and recreational activities that have been permitted to operate statewide with restrictions. If guidance has not yet been published for your specific industry, but you are permitted to reopen, please refer to the  NY Forward Safety Plan template .

For help determining whether or not your business is eligible to reopen, use the reopen lookup tool. You can also scroll down to find the guidance for each phase.
Essential Businesses that have been operating will need to read and affirm the appropriate industry sector guidance and develop safety plans to continue operating.

This applies to all retail and transaction based Essential Businesses - they should focus on complying and updating procedures ASAP.
Did you miss one of our recent L.E.A.R.N. Business Impacts webinars? 
 
You can watch them all right on our website.
Governor Cuomo Issues Executive Order Clarifying that Businesses Can Deny Entry to Customers without Masks or Face Coverings

On May 28, Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order authorizing businesses to deny entry to those who do not wear masks or face-coverings.
Tompkins County Officials Will Host a Town Hall Thursday, 6/4 @ 5p

County Administrator Jason Molino and the Emergency Operations Center Team have been hosting weekly Town Hall discussions online.

The group will be addressing your questions (submit ahead of time below), and also provide updates from NYS.
Local and Regional Economic Development Partners Issue Resource Documents for Your Business

Local economic development organizations have collaborated since the onset of Covid-19 to offer a coordinated community response, identify funding opportunities, and gather and communicate resources to support your business or organization through this challenging time. The group has pooled key guidance from industry leaders and government organizations, financial resources, and suppliers of PPE and other services to support you through this next phase of reopening. Click the links below to learn more!
Please Take Our Survey

Business Owners or Key Decision Makers Only

Please take our fourth survey about Covid-19 impacts on your business or organization, your plans moving forward, and what resources you need to support your recovery.
Still have questions?

Our team is here to help.
 
Just call the Chamber at 607-273-7080, or email us at info@tompkinschamber.org . For specific need areas:
 
Ritza Francois, Membership Referrals & Support
Carly Hansen , Operations/Account Assistance
Diane Hemly , Bookkeeper - AP/AR Questions
Ryan Shehu , COVID-19 Resource Coordinator for Chamber/CVB
Jennifer Tavares, Economic Development/Communications & PR
David Walton, Event & Program/Sponsor Inquiries