On May 5, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced guidelines to be followed for businesses and regions of the State to reopen following the expected termination of the State’s PAUSE Order on May 15, 2020. Regional reopening will be based on the four following metrics: (1) 14 days of decline in net hospitalizations and deaths; (2) 30% hospital and ICU beds available; (3) ability to conduct 30 virus tests per month for every 100,000 residents; and (4) 30 contact tracers for every 100,000 residents.

Once those metrics are achieved, businesses will be allowed to reopen in four phases. Construction, manufacturing, and limited retail make up the first phase.

Additional guidance from the Governor’s Office is expected prior to May 15th. NFSA’s Empire Chapter meeting was held virtually on Tuesday, May 5th, and all members reported optimism with this news being shared. For all the latest, continue to check the NFSA page dedicated to all things pandemic.