Governor Cuomo released the NY Forward reopening plan including a detailed list of industries and types of businesses that will be able to operate in each phase throughout New York's four-phase reopening effort as soon as the regions in which they are located meet and maintain the threshold requirements in testing, tracking, and hospital admission rates/ICU availability.
Capital Region Phase I industries began operations on May 20, Phase II on June 3, Phase III on June 17, and now the Capital Region is ready for Phase IV of reopening starting tomorrow - July 1. The Governor’s office has released additional guidelines and business safety templates for Phase IV industries, please see below.
Phase IV business owners must read the “Detailed Guidelines” for their industries and provide their digital signature affirming they have read and understand the document. A Safety Plan does not need to be submitted to a state agency for approval but must be retained on the premises of the business and must made available to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) or local health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection.
NY Forward Business Reopening Lookup Tool
This tool will help you determine whether or not your business is eligible to reopen, and the public health and safety standards with which your business must comply.
For local guidance and support the Small Business Development Center at the University at Albany hosted a Phase III reopening online webinar - available on demand here.
With the current exception of gyms, movie theaters and shopping malls ready to reopen with state guidance, Phase IV will allow low-risk indoor and outdoor arts and entertainment, film and TV production, higher education and professional sports operations to resume and reopen.
PHASE IV Materials
Higher Education
Low-Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment
Low-Risk Indoor Arts & Entertainment
Media Production
Additional details about all four reopening phases and industries can be found here.