NYS Businesses Must Comply with COVID-19 Reopening Requirements

After two months of non-essential businesses in NYS being closed due to the COVID-19 crisis, NYS began allowing them to reopen in five of the seven upstate regions (Central NY, Fingers Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country and the Southern Tier) on May 15th, and on May 19th, expanded reopening to a sixth region (Western New York).  Non-essential businesses in the other four regions of the State (New York City, Long Island, Capital Region and Mid-Hudson) must remain closed until further notice.  The reopening of non-essential businesses in each region will occur in four phases, with certain designated businesses being allowed to reopen in each phase.  Before reopening, each business will be required to prepare a safety plan to protect employees and customers that complies with applicable industry-specific safety guidelines issued by the State.  Businesses should start preparing now to meet the safety guidelines so that they will be able to reopen as soon as they are allowed.  

The Four Business Reopening Phases

NYS has identified the following four reopening phases and the businesses that will be allowed to reopen in each phase.  Read More...

Labor and Employment Update - Reopening NYS

The good news is that New York State will soon begin to reopen Empire State businesses, albeit by region and consistent with the federal government's "Opening Up America Again" phased approach.  

While on PAUSE, New York State COVID-19 Executive Orders and regulatory guidelines have been issued on a weekly, if not daily, basis.  Many sense that the "new normal" of telework, Zoom meetings and homeschooling will plague us for some period of time.  

As New York State employers consider their reopening plans, they must account for many challenges and pitfalls, including those outlined below.  

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