Reopening Businesses Safely in the New York Metro Area: What to Expect and How to Stay Safe

As the New York metro area begins to reopen, building owners and managers have questions about reopening businesses safely for tenants, clients and visitors. With guidelines and regulations that change often, here are the current recommendations.

Reopening New York Businesses

Much of New York State is poised to enter Phase II of reopening. New York City expects to start on June 8.

Phase I Reopening: Construction and manufacturing may resume; nonessential businesses may offer curbside pick-up.

Phase II Reopening: Many stores may fully open, office-based jobs may resume, and personal-service businesses, such as hair salons, may offer limited service.

Note that, in many cases, facilities and contractors should take additional precautions, such as:

• Adding more hand-washing facilities
• Increasing parking
• Limiting personnel
• Reconfiguring spaces to increase personal distance
• Devising pandemic response policies and procedures

Reopening in New Jersey

In New Jersey, the state is expecting to enter Stage 2 of its multi-phase reopening plan. Currently, in Stage 1, the state has largely focused on permitting more outdoor activities, including reopening parks and beaches. Nonessential businesses have started offering curbside service, and the limit on outdoor gatherings has been increased to 25 people. Residents are still being asked to remain at home as much as possible.

Stage 2, according to the governor’s office, will include:

• Expanded retail
• Outdoor dining and indoor dining at “significantly reduced capacity”
• Limited personal care
• Libraries and museums with “significantly reduced capacity”
• Possible expansion of childcare with restrictions
• Summer school and summer camps may have “limited in-person engagement”

Reopening in Connecticut

Connecticut’s Phase I reopening, which began May 20, includes:

• Offices and stores may open at 50% capacity
• Restaurants can offer outdoor seating.
• Hair salons and barber shops may reopen June 1
• Social gatherings are limited to five people
• Zoos and museums may open outdoor exhibits
• Nonessential retail may open, subject to restrictions

In Phase II, which will begin June 20, indoor facilities including gyms, hotels, personal services, and indoor restaurants (though no bars) will be allowed to re-open. Summer day camps will also be allowed to reopen, as well as some youth sports.

Cleaning and Disinfecting in Buildings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends more frequent cleaning and disinfecting in all common areas, including entryways, lobbies, hallways and restrooms. High-touch surfaces should be cleaned daily or as often as possible. Those surfaces include:

• Door pushes
• Electronic devices, including keyboards
• Elevator buttons
• Faucet
• Handles
• Sinks
• Touchpads

Read this article for cleaning product substitutions for Covid-19.

If an Infected Person Has Been in Your Building

If a tenant, visitor, tradesperson or delivery person has been in your building(s) or vehicle(s) and you discover they’ve been infected with COVID-19, the CDC recommends:

• Close off areas visited by the infected person(s). Wait as long as practical to clean and disinfect, ideally 24 hours or more
• Clean and disinfect all areas and high-touch surfaces
• If the infected person was in your building(s) or vehicle(s) more than seven days ago, additional cleaning and disinfecting may not be necessary

To disinfect, use products listed by the EPA as effective against the virus. Make sure cleaning staff use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and masks. Also ensure that they know how to safely dispose of materials and single-use equipment afterwards.

For more information, check out this article on how landlords can provide better coronavirus safety for tenants and employees.

Preparing to Reopen Safely

Before reopening buildings, the CDC recommends:

• Add physical barriers where possible
• Require that employees, visitors, tradespeople and tenants wear masks in common areas
• Deep clean and disinfect premises regularly
• Reduce or eliminate shared workspaces, gathering places and other “hot spots”
• Do not allow staff or tradespeople to share equipment

Because this is a rapidly changing situation, check with your local authorities for the latest regulations and guidance.

If you have any questions about insurance or your current insurance policy, or if you would like a free insurance review, please call us at 877-576-5200.