Reopening Nassau

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Re-Opening Nassau 
What Businesses Need to Know


NEW YORK STATE CLUSTER ACTION INITIATIVE

Per Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.68, areas of New York State may be required to comply with enhanced public health restrictions based on identified clusters of positive COVID-19 cases. The safety protocols and restrictions for the “Cluster Action Initiative” are issued by NY State as outlined below.

Cluster Zones per NY State

The New York State Department of Health identifies whether an area is a “Cluster Zone” according to cluster-based cases of COVID-19 at a level that compromises the State’s containment of the virus.

Activities will be restricted according to three (3) zone designations intended to control further spread of the virus: 

  • Red Zone (cluster itself), 
  • Orange Zone (warning zone), or 
  • Yellow Zone (precautionary zone). 

Cluster Zone Maps per NY State

The latest maps of cluster zones throughout New York State can be viewed here.

As of Monday, November 23, 2020, the following Cluster Zones are mapped in Nassau County:

Cluster Zone Restrictions per NY State

Restrictions ONLY apply to areas located within identified Cluster Zones, or COVID-19 Hot Spot Zones.

  • Find out if you are located in a Cluster Zone, or COVID-19 Hot Spot, by using the address lookup tool here. 
  • Review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to the State’s Cluster Action Initiative here. 

PLEASE NOTE that the information displayed in the chart below is subject to change per state guidance. For the most up-to-date information, visit the state’s Cluster Action Initiative website here: https://forward.ny.gov/cluster-action-initiative. 

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**Schools may reopen if they follow new guidelines that require mass testing in schools before they reopen followed by vigilant symptom and exposure screening conducted daily.


Businesses in Orange or Red Cluster Zones Identified by NY State

Business or entities that operate or provide both essential and non-essential services, supplies or support – only those lines and/or business operations that are necessary to support the essential services, supplies, or support are exempt from the workforce reduction restrictions.

If businesses and other entities are permitted to operate within the Cluster Action Initiative, they must continue to follow the relevant industry-specific guidelines provided by New York State on the NY Forward website, or find specific guidance linked on this webpage below.

  • Confirm if your business is subject to public health and safety restrictions by using the state’s business lookup tool here.
  • Determine if any in-person workforce reductions per the Cluster Action Initiative apply to your business type here.

Additional Resources from NY State

  • Review NY State’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide for the Cluster Action Initiative here. 
  • For questions not covered in the state’s FAQ guide, please contact New York State’s Regional Control Room for Long Island by sending an email to linyf@esd.ny.gov. 

 

NASSAU COUNTY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

NEW Nassau County Restaurant Recovery Grant Program

  • On November 18, 2020, County Executive Laura Curran announced roll out of a new County program to support small businesses that are facing continued hardship due to the impact of COVID-19. The Nassau County Restaurant Recovery Grant Program aims to assist up to 300 local restaurants with a grant of either $5,000 or $10,000, depending on their number of full-time employees.  The program is intended to support full-service restaurants – an industry hit particularly hard by the pandemic – during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited and as restaurants adjust to NY state’s COVID-19 safety restrictions and new mandates. 
  • Further details on the program, eligibility and how to apply is available on www.nassaucountyny.gov/restaurantrecovery. 

Boost Nassau Small Business Loan Program

  • NY Forward “Boost Nassau” loan fund is a new business recovery loan program aimed at supporting Nassau County’s small businesses, Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) and nonprofits struggling during the COVID-19 outbreak. Note, the loan program is available to businesses impacted by COVID-19 that haven’t accessed federally-backed programs like PPP. The new “Boost Nassau” program ensures that $10 million will be available for businesses located in Nassau County from the NY Forward Loan Fund.
  • On November 23, 2020, County Executive Laura Curran invited small businesses and nonprofits to attend a free webinar on the Boost Nassau Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Loan Program. Watch the recorded webinar here.
  • Further details on the program, eligibility and how to apply is available on www.boostnassau.net, and here.

Open Streets Pilot Program - Making it Easier for Businesses to Utilize Street Space

  • With Nassau County’s new Open Streets Pilot Program, we are making it easier for Villages, Towns and Cities to temporarily close County roads to vehicles to allow businesses to utilize sidewalk and/or street space fronting their business to increase their capacity while maintaining social distancing. This will help address reduced indoor capacity requirements under the NY Forward phase-in reopening, which limits the number of customers indoors and may impact revenue. Continuing the County’s efforts to support the revival of our downtowns and business districts, the County will be fast tracking permitting approvals for temporary road closures, with a decision within a week of receiving an application. To apply, visit: www.nassaucountyny.gov/OpenStreets.


NEW YORK STATE INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC REOPENING GUIDELINES

Gym and Fitness Center Reopening In Nassau County During The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency

New York State allowed Gyms and Fitness Centers to reopen in Nassau County beginning on August 24, 2020. Click here for more information.

Phase One

As of May 27, 2020, business categories and guidelines for each include:

Phase Two 

As of June 10, 2020, business categories and guidelines for each are outlined below:

Phase Three

As of June 24, 2020, business categories and guidelines for each include:

Phase Four

As of July 8, 2020, business categories and guidelines for each include:

Additional industries and institutions permitted to operate are outlined below and new state guidelines for each can be found here.

Look Up if Your Business Can Reopen:

Use the New York Forward Business Reopening Lookup Tool
Updated List of Essential Businesses and State Guidance available here

Prepare to Reopen

  • Mandatory Protocols & Guidelines: 
    Before reopening, every business must meet specific mandatory requirements. NY State has published "summary guidelines" including both the mandatory and recommended protocols and detailed "final interim guidance" for each business category listed in Phase One.  The guidelines for each sector can be found here.
  • Submit an Affirmation to NY State:
    Businesses must confirm that they agree to operate in compliance with the detailed guidance. A link to the affirmation form is located at the end of the detailed guidance and found here.
  • Prepare a Written “Safety Business Plan”:
    Every business must have a written plan outlining how it will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
    Create your plan using NYS Business Re-Opening Safety Plan Template and CDC Businesses and Workplaces Re-Opening Guidancewhich includes:
    • Wellness Checks for employees and customers
    • Disinfection and Cleaning Routines
    • Social Distancing
    • PPE supply for employees and customers

Reopening Resources & Questions

  • Reopening FAQ
  • For more info on Governor Cuomo’s Re-Opening Plan, visit Forward.ny.gov

Contact Us

  • If you’re a business located in Nassau County and have a question about reopening not answered on this page, please email us at: econdev@nassaucountyny.gov
  • For additional support, the Nassau County Outreach Offices have bilingual staff available to answer questions about reopening:

Report a Complaint 

  • As businesses are eager to reopen, following NY State and CDC guidelines is imperative to the health and safety of our community and will allow us to continue to the next phase.  Residents can report a complaint or concern about a business failing to comply with the new safety guidelines by emailing reopensafe@nassaucountyny.gov.