Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus is advising businesses and residents to prepare for Phase 1 of the NY Forward Reopening plan, which Governor Cuomo has said will start on Tuesday, May 26th.
Neuhaus has been designated by Cuomo to serve on the Regional “Control Room” set up by the Governor to continue measures that are taken to address health-related concerns.
“While we have met our requirements to re-open, the Governor is requiring businesses to follow the NY Forward requirements,” Neuhaus said. “This means safety plans must be in place and businesses must read and certify that they are able to comply. While numbers of new positive cases are decreasing, a failure to wear face coverings, wash hands regularly, and take necessary social distance measures can move us quickly in the wrong direction.”
At the direction of Neuhaus, the County’s Economic Development and Tourism Office’s, in collaboration with the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, have been working to ensure local businesses included in Phase 1 understand the New York State Guidelines, and have created business safety plans, submitting affirmations to the State. Businesses are required to submit these affirmations and have the safety plans on file.
As per the State, businesses in Phase 1 include:
• Construction
•Retail: Curbside pick-up
• Manufacturing
• Wholesale Trade
• Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Some helpful links for businesses include:
https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase
https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/ConstructionMasterGuidance.pdf
https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYS_BusinessReopeningSafetyPlanTemplate.pdf
“My dialogue with the County’s Supervisors and Mayors, and other local officials, will continue as we proceed with re-opening Orange County and navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Neuhaus said. “I know that we will get through this.”
For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.
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