State officials have released details on what kind of retailers can start reopening for limited services on Friday.
According to guidelines announced Wednesday evening, the businesses that can resume deliveries and curbside pick-up include clothing, electronics, furniture, jewelry, sporting goods, book and office supply stores. Such retailers are required to provide protective equipment to their employees, such as face coverings, and occupancy of all areas of the businesses must not exceed 50 percent of what is typically permitted (and that includes the presence of customers picking up goods.)
Last week, the governor announced that regions of the state would reopen in four phases as they met certain criteria laid out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Starting Friday, five regions — the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley and North Country — will be permitted to embark on the first phase of reopening.
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Along with certain retail, the state tapped construction and manufacturing as the first industries to reopen. Real estate, retail, finance, insurance, administrative support and professional services will be among the second set of industries to resume business. Restaurants are part of the third phase, and the fourth phase will see recreation and education facilities reopen.
The state’s guidelines for construction include maintaining at least six feet between workers at all times “unless safety of the core activity requires a shorter distance,” providing employees with protective equipment and having no more than one worker per 250 square feet while doing interior construction. The state also requires that occupancy in confined spaces, like elevators and hoists, never exceed 50 percent capacity. Real estate and construction groups are also working on their own set of terms for reopening certain project sites.
Write to Kathryn Brenzel kathryn@therealdeal.com