Today, New York City begins Phase 3 of reopening but indoor dining will not move forward at this point. The Mid-Hudson region will enter Phase 4 of reopening tomorrow, July 7 and Long Island is on track to enter Phase 4 of Wednesday, July 8.
As COVID-19 cases surge across the country, more and more states are mandating face masks in public places. Next on the list is the state of Kansas. After cases begin to skyrocket chances are all states will require face masks in any public venue. This could last until most of the population is vaccinated.
New York City is expected to enter Phase 3 of reopening on Monday, July 6, but due to concerns about the risk of spreading the virus, indoor dining in NYC will be postponed. As we see states across the country that have opted to reopen indoor dining experience upticks in the infection rate, we want to make sure the same thing doesn't happen in New York. And at this point, we can't rely on citizen compliance or local enforcement alone to manage the risk. The safest option is to postpone indoor dining in NYC.
New York is now experiencing its lowest cases and hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients yet. Phase 3 will start in Manhattan in the beginning of July and the rest of most of the sate with begin Phase 4. Unfortunately, other states are dealing with hot spots and record cases since the virus began. NY is now in a position to help and the Governor of NY is making it known.