Hello Business Owner,
With continued progress toward the health metrics for reopening, New Rochelle and the Mid-Hudson Valley are poised to enter Phase 3 on June 23. The City, New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and Downtown BID are working together to help keep businesses informed as we proceed to the new normal. Four key items as we enter this next phase:
- Reopening and safety plans
- New guidance regarding the Paycheck Protection Program
- New Ro Eats
- Arts Westchester
Reopening and safety plans
All businesses that are currently open or are now reopening in phase 3 are required to read and affirm the safety guidelines on Forward.NY.Gov as well as completing a safety plan to maintain on premise. In Phase 3, the businesses that can reopen with restrictions are Food Services and Personal Care.
Food Services applies to all restaurants and food services establishments, including food trucks and other food concessions. In regions that have reached Phase 3, such establishments may open indoor spaces with seating for customers, in accordance with the guidelines in “Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Food Services,” as well as in permitted outdoor spaces. Indoor capacity is limited to no more than 50% of maximum occupancy, exclusive of employees.
“Outdoor space” is defined as open-air space designated for the consumption of food/beverage, which may have a temporary or fixed cover (e.g. awning or roof), so long as such cover has at least two open sides for airflow. Outdoor capacity is limited to the number of tables that can be safely and appropriately arranged, such that each table is a minimum of 6 ft. away from another. In New Rochelle, outdoor spaces require a permit although fees have been waived and the process simplified to help restaurants quickly add this outdoor capacity.
Read and Affirm Detailed Food Service Guidelines
Safety Plan
Outdoor space permit: public property (Sidewalk Café) or private property (Building Permit).
Personal Care includes non-hair-related personal care businesses and services, such as tattoo and piercing facilities, appearance enhancement practitioners, massage therapy, spas, cosmetology, nail specialty, UV and non-UV tanning, or waxing).
Read and Affirm Detailed Personal Care Guidelines
Safety Plan
Paycheck Protection Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with Treasury, released a revised loan forgiveness application for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) on June 17, 2020. The SBA also unveiled a new EZ application for forgiveness of PPP loans.
The applications reflect changes to the PPP made by the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act of 2020, P.L. 116-142, which became law June 5. The applications and instructions are available in the links below:
New Ro Eats
Tables are set for City of New Rochelle to launch ‘New Ro Eats’. Outdoor dining throughout New Rochelle has been expanded and Sunday, June 21 the street was closed on Division St. so restaurants could set up tables on the street. "By partnering with our restaurant community to expand outdoor dining, we can accelerate New Rochelle’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and reimagine public spaces for everyone’s enjoyment," said New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson. Additional locations around New Rochelle are being considered and restaurants are welcome to share ideas to help expand the outdoor dining program and experience throughout the city to continue its support of the city’s diverse restaurant community.
ArtsWestchester honors New Rochelle
ArtsWestchester and their Board of Trustees will be honoring New Rochelle for making arts and culture central to its revitalization efforts. All are invited to a special online event. RSVP at artsw.org/artsaward2020.