By Mary Marvin, Bronxville Mayor

Jun. 24, 2020: Since Westchester County now meets certain COVID-19 metrics, the Governor has granted Phase 3 reopening status for a new group of businesses and activities.

The following are the mandatory guidelines promulgated by the State Department of Health for customers, employees, and proprietors.

Inspectors have been dispatched throughout communities to ensure compliance.

In Phase 3 reopening, massage therapy, spas, cosmetology, nail salons, UV and non-UV tanning parlors, waxing, tattoo, and piercing facilities are now free to do business.

Personal care services that require customers to remove face coverings (i.e., face massage, facial, lip/nose waxing are still prohibited).

Personal care service customers may only be permitted entry if they wear facemasks. Employees must wear a facemask that completely covers the nose and mouth and a face shield or safety goggles when providing service directly to customers, even if six feet or more apart. There is a strict limit to equipment sharing, including nail files, clippers, etc. and workers must be wearing gloves when in contact with such objects.

Other specific requirements in the personal service category include:

-Each new customer must receive all new or cleaned and disinfected implements such as towels, finger bowls, spatulas, and pedicure baths.

-Hand and foot drying areas must be cleaned and disinfected after each customer.

-Workforce and customer presence combined is limited to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy of the space.

-Seating must also maintain a six-foot distance unless a physical barrier is in place in accordance with OSHA guidelines.

-All must maintain six feet of separation except during the service itself.

-Employees must be trained on how to wear, clean, and discard PPE.

-No waiting rooms are allowed.

-Practices must be in place for adequate social distancing in such locations as restrooms or breakrooms.

-Hand sanitizers are required throughout the personal care facility for use by both staff and customers.

-Time must be left between appointments for full work station cleaning and disinfection.

-Signage must be posted inside and outside of a facility to remind personnel and customers to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, the requirement of a facemask, and cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

-Employees must wash hands for 20 seconds before and after providing services to each customer.

Phase 3 Restaurant Reopening Regulations

-Outdoor capacity is still limited to the number of tables that can be safely arranged at least six feet from one another.

-Indoor capacity is limited to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy for customers.

-Restrooms must respect social distancing guidelines.

-The six-foot spacing in any lines for customers waiting to order, pick-up, or payment location must be clearly delineated.

-Sharing of kitchen equipment between staff (knives, pots, rags, and towels), should be minimized.

-Diners should order from single-use paper disposable menus and/or display menus on chalkboards or screens.

-If pick-up and delivery is indoors, windows and doors are to be open to allow for ventilation.

-All condiments provided directly to customers must be single-use disposable containers or reusable containers that are regularly cleaned and disinfected.

-Silverware must be pre-packaged or pre-rolled.

-Workers must be provided with acceptable face covering at no cost to the employee and have an adequate supply of coverings in case of need for replacement.

-All staff must wear face coverings at all times and practice handwashing hygiene rules.

-If employees wear gloves during non-food preparation activities, they are to replace gloves frequently, especially when switching tasks.

-Employees must receive training on how to wear, clean, and discard PPE.

-Staff is required to wear gloves when in contact with shared objects and frequently touched surfaces or demonstrate strict handwashing hygiene before and after contact.

-Employees bussing tables must wash their hands with soap and water and if they wear gloves, replace the gloves after cleaning each table.

Phase 3 Reopening of Sports and Recreational Facilities

Starting July 6, most outdoor sports with individual or distanced group training or activities as well as organized low or no-contact group training such as sports camps and clinics may be operational. 

Activities that fall under the permissible include cross country running, golf and tennis, individual swimming, and boating. Football, basketball, contact lacrosse, volleyball, and wrestling do not meet Phase 3 standards.

For lower and moderate risk sports, competitive team practices and some games or scrimmages in organized leagues or pick-up games are being allowed.

Competitive tournaments of multiple games or matches, especially ones that require travel, are still on hold for now.

All sports facilities are still prohibited from allowing indoor activities at this time.

Photo by A. Warner

Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.