New York City Expected to Enter Phase 1 Reopening by June 8

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that New York City would begin Phase 1 reopening after almost 3 full months under lockdown of non-essential businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted The Bronx more than any other borough with the highest rates of infection and mortality due to the virus and now also the borough with the highest unemployment rate in New York City at a staggering 16.5%.

Under Phase 1 reopening, Bronx businesses owners and employees can hopefully begin to get some relief as they open. The following is a list of businesses that will be allowed for reopening (Links to guidance on each industry at the end of this article):

1. Construction
   • Building Equipment Contractors
   • Building Finishing Contractors
   • Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
   • Highway, Street and Bridge Construction
   • Land Subdivision
   • Nonresidential Building Construction
   • Residential Building Construction
   • Utility System Construction
2. Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
   • Other Animal Production
   • Other Crop Production
   • Support Activities for Animal Production
   • Support Activities for Crop Production
   • Support Activities for Forestry
3. Retail – Phase One (includes delivery, curbside, and in-store pickup service only for the following businesses):
   • 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
4. Manufacturing
   • Apparel Manufacturing
   • Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
   • Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing
   • Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
   • Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing
   • Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing
   • Machinery Manufacturing
   • Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
   • Paper Manufacturing
   • Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
   • Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
   • Printing and Related Support Activities
   • Textile Mills
   • Textile Product Mills
   • Wood Product Manufacturing
   • Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
5. Wholesale Trade
   • Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers
   • Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers
   • Furniture and Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
   • Household Appliances and Electrical and Electronic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
   • Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
   • Metal and Mineral (except Petroleum) Merchant Wholesalers
   • Paper and Paper Product Merchant Wholesalers
   • Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
   • Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers
   • Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
   • Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers

If you are a business owner, you can visit the following website to view the summary guidelines for each industry, read and affirm the guidelines, and print a business safety plan template.

Note: If you are a business owner, you are required by New York State to affirm to the guidelines if your business is qualified to open under Phase 1.