Hello Business Owner,

Today, New Rochelle and the rest of the mid-Hudson region are authorized to enter Phase I of reopening after passing the seven health metric guidelines established by New York State. Businesses can begin to open in phases, with a gradual lifting of restrictions. Permitted activities in Phase I include construction and manufacturing, as well as retail for curbside and in-store pickup. Visit forward.ny.gov for complete information.

Your action is required:

1. Review and affirm the industry guidance for your business
2. Create and maintain a safety plan for your business

Re-opening Guidance

Re-opening refers to non-essential businesses and business activities. Essential businesses and business activities that are open will remain open. The state has issued guidance for each industries describing mandatory and best practices guidelines for physical distancing, cleaning, communication and screening .  All businesses are required to read and affirm the guidelines and prepare a safety plan for their business to reopen. Full information on the industry reopening breakdown on the NY Forward Website.

Here is the breakdown of industries in each phase with a link to the guidelines for each industry opening in Phase I.

Phase One: 

• Construction
• Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
• Retail - (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off)

·         Clothing Stores

·         Direct Selling Establishments

·         Electronics and Appliance Stores

·         Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses

·         Furniture and Home Furnishing Stores

·         Florists

·         General Merchandise Stores

·         Health and Personal Care Stores

·         Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores

·         Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores

·         Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores

·         Used Merchandise Stores

·         Shoe Stores

·         Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument and Book Stores

·         Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers

• Manufacturing
• Wholesale Trade

Phase Two: Not Open

• Professional Services
• Retail
• Administrative Support
• Real Estate / Rental & Leasing

Phase Three: Not Open

• Restaurants / Food Services 

Phase Four: Not Open

• Arts / Entertainment / Recreation
• Education

For help determining whether or not your business is eligible to reopen, use the reopen lookup tool. 

New York Forward Business Reopening Lookup Tool

NY FORWARD BUSINESS REOPEN LOOKUP TOOL

Safety Plans 

Each business or entity must develop a written Safety Plan outlining how its workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19. A business may fill out this template to fulfill the requirement, or may develop its own Safety Plan. This plan does not need to be submitted to a state agency for approval but must be retained on the premises of the business and must made available to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) or local health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection.  

Business Reopening Safety Plan Template