New York Forward - Plan for Re-Opening 
The “New York on PAUSE” Executive Order will expire on May 15, 2020. At that time, the Governor has determined that the State may begin the process of re-opening (regionally - map link), taking into account the following criteria. If the rate of transmission (Rt) increases above 1 at any time in a particular region, the PAUSE Order will go back into effect. The process will be conducted in consultation with local government representatives. Details on the role of the regional representatives is not clear right now, but will be detailed by NYSH&TA when available.

Criteria for Regional Re-Opening:
New Infections:       

Health Care Capacity:

Diagnostic Testing Capacity:

Contact Tracing Capacity:

Phases of Re-Opening:
Once a region meets the above criteria for reopening, it will do so in a phased manner which is based on an assessment of risk and economic impact (those businesses determined to have the lowest risk and the highest economic impact will open first, vs. those with the highest risk and lowest economic impact will open last, during Phase 4).

Phase 1:
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale supply chain
Select Retail (curbside pickup) 

Phase 2:
Professional Services
Finance and Insurance
Retail
Administrative Support
Real Estate/Rental Leasing

Phase 3:
Restaurants/Food Services
Hotel/Accommodations *While hotels are deemed essential, some services on property (i.e. Fitness centers and restaurants) are not and would open during this phase.

Phase 4:
Arts/Entertainment /Recreation
Education

Requirements of Businesses:
In order for a business to be considered part of a phased re-opening, it must submit a plan to the state that outlines how it will achieve the following:
       •   Adjust workplace hours and shift design as necessary to reduce density in the workplace
       •   Enact social distancing protocols
       •   Restrict non-essential travel for employees
       •   Require all employees and customers to wear masks if in frequent contact with others
       •   Implement strict cleaning and sanitation standards
       •   Enact a continuous health screening process for individuals to enter the workplace
       •   Continue tracing, tracking and reporting of cases
       •   Develop liability processes.


NYSH&TA Parks Council Presents Re-Opening Guidelines to Governor Cuomo
This comprehensive memo outlines parks and attractions policies for a Phase 4 re-open. Click here for the full NYSH&TA Opening Memo.


Members Not Deemed “Essential” Can Still Provide Necessary Services to Prepare for Re-Opening
The “essential” analysis is applied function by function within a business, not across the board. Accordingly, janitorial services, general maintenance, and sanitation may continue in those businesses that have been designated as "non-essential". For example, if you are a Park, Attraction, Museum etc. and are not currently deemed essential, YOU CAN still have those working who provide:

Essential services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences or other businesses including:
       •    Law enforcement, including corrections and community supervision
           Fire prevention and response
       •    Building code enforcement
       •    Security
       •    Emergency management and response, EMS and 911 dispatch
       •    Building cleaners or janitors
       •    General maintenance whether employed by the entity directly or a vendor
       •    Automotive repair
       •    Disinfection
       •    Residential moving services


ADA Website Lawsuit Survey
Over the past 18 months, NYSH&TA has fielded several calls from members that have been threatened with a lawsuit over their website not meeting ADA guidelines. One of those members has asked us for our help in trying to gauge how many of our members have received such correspondence. If you have been threatened over your website not meeting ADA compliance, we ask that you let us know anonymously through the survey here:
https://form.jotform.com/nyshta/ada-website-lawsuit


B&Bs for Nurses Initiative Donates $15,000 of Hamptons/Montauk Hotel Rooms to Local Nurses
NYSH&TA member, White Fences Inn, is a part of an inspiring initiative to provide frontline essential staff with donated lodging stays to rest and rejuvenate from their increased work schedules combating COVID19. B&Bs For Nurses launched on May 6 during National Nurse Day. Local B&Bs, Inns, and Hotel hard hit economically from the COVID19 pandemic have band together to donate over $15,000 of luxury overnight stays for local Nurses. Click here to read the full press release. 


COVID Operating Guidelines/Best Practices: NYS Hospitality Industry
NYSH&TA has developed a detailed Operating Guidelines and Best Practices document in an effort to support and offer helpful information to our member businesses during these uncertain and unprecedented times.