Town of Bedford Office of the Supervisor COVID Recovery Updates: Phase 4 Begins Tomorrow

Low to Moderate Risk Recreational Activities Permitted Beginning July 6

Since the Mid-Hudson region has entered Phase 3, beginning July 6, low to moderate recreation and sports activities will be permitted.  This includes golf, rock climbing, cross country running, baseball, softball, field hockey, soccer, non-contact lacrosse, and swimming relays, among other sports.  Sports such as football, ice hockey, basketball, and rugby are considered high-risk and therefore not included.

Practices and games will be allowed to resume for the approved activities, except for competitive tournaments requiring travel.  Physical distancing and limited indoor occupancy must be maintained where appropriate and applicable.  For the interim guidance and guidelines that must be followed by leagues, businesses, coaches, players, and spectators, please click here.

Gyms and Fitness Centers 

The Town of Bedford Town Attorney from Keane & Beane has provided guidance for gym and fitness center owners to be able to conduct limited outdoor exercise activity.  This is not legal advice and any business should consult an attorney about any concerns on the legality of business operations.  See below:

As of Monday, July 6, 2020 (today), gyms and fitness centers are allowed to conduct limited outdoor exercise training with up 25 people (including employees/instructors) while in Phase 3 and potentially up to 50 people unless further limited (including employees/instructors) when Westchester County enters Phase 4 on Tuesday July 7.

Here are links to the summary and detailed guidance for Sports and Recreational Activities –

Sports and Recreation Summary Guidance

Sports and Recreation Master Guidance

Gyms and fitness centers should continue to monitor both the ESD and NYSDOH websites to see if further guidance is issued. In addition, indoor gym and fitness center operations are not included in the Phase 4 reopening at this time.

 Before operating outdoors in any fashion, gyms and fitness centers will need to familiarize themselves with the relevant guidance and prepare a Safety Plan using the template provided on the NYSDOH website at:

Business Reopening Safety Plan Template

 The Town does not review the Safety Plan, but it must be submitted to the NYSDOH and posted conspicuously at the place of business. In addition, you should contact the Town Clerk and Building Inspector to discuss obtaining a permit from the Town under the newly enacted Town Code Chapter 86 to allow outdoor business activities.

The Mid-Hudson Region is expected to enter into Phase 4 on July 7. 

For a brief summary provided by the County about the industries re-opening and their regulations, please click here.

Phase 4 includes the re-opening of college campuses, low-risk outdoor arts and entertainment, low-risk indoor arts and entertainment, and media production industries.

The Governor plans to “phase into” Phase 4, meaning that certain businesses will not be able to open immediately as the last phase begins.  Rather, there will be sub-phases within Phase 4 itself.  The duration between each sub-phase has not been determined yet but could be up to a couple weeks or months.

Gyms, malls, and movie theaters, among other industries that have not been included within any of the phases, will not be allowed to re-open immediately during the initial stage of Phase 4.  Data trends will be “continually studied” before a decision on when and how the re-opening of these industries should occur.

Social gatherings of up to 50 people will be permitted and houses of worship will be allowed to hold indoor services of up to 33% of the building’s capacity.

NEED MASKS?

Available in Multiple Sizes!

Free child and toddler size face masks are now available. Sewn and donated by Michelle Petschek of Katonah. Michelle is close to her goal of making 1000 masks for the Mask Maker’s Guild. Thank you Michelle!

Free adult sized masks are also available. Sewn by volunteers in coordination with the Community Center of Northern Westchester. Thank you CCNW and volunteers!

Donations to coordinating organizations – The Community Center or The Guild are always welcome, but the masks are free. To have a volunteer deliver you masks, contact ecalves@bedfordny.gov

Reminder about the disposal of old masks: 

We receive many complaints about people discarding masks and other items on the street and sidewalk. Please be considerate of your neighbors and community and properly dispose of trash.

Winding Down the Drive-Through COVID-19 Facility at Bedford Hills Train Station

As Westchester and New York City re-emerge in the phased “re-open,” the Town needs to prepare for resumed use of the commuter lot.   We also wish to make the lot available to business owners and their employees in Bedford Hills to help our local businesses recover from the financial blow the lock-down has caused.   We will be winding down the COVID-19 Testing Facility at the Bedford Hills Train Station. 

The final three days of operation will be Tuesday, July 7, Saturday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 14.

Over 1,700 residents in Bedford, Mt. Kisco, Lewisboro and Pound Ridge have utilized the shared facility which, at the time of its formation, answered a dire need for testing capacity in Northern Westchester. Since that time, there has been a vast decrease in the number testing positive (few to none within the last several testing weeks) and a significant increase in testing capacity throughout the area.

Thank you to the many volunteers who have devoted their time at the facility and to those generous members of the community who donated lunches for the crew.   I also wish to thank Mayor Picinich, Supervisors Parsons and Hansan for sharing police and other resources, as well as Police Chief Padilla and Recreation and Parks Superintendent Soi for their support for the facility.

Click for more information on taking a test at the Bedford Hills Drive through.

Early on in the pandemic, Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order that no individual is to be charged for the test (though the health care provider may submit a claim to the individual’s insurer should that individual have insurance).

List of Alternate Test Facilities in the Area

Click here for a list of testing facilities in the area. Our thanks to our summer intern Kenny Linder, klinder@bedfordny.gov. We will keep this list available on this page and update it from time to time.  Please e-mail me at supervisor@bedfordny.gov with any corrections or additions.

 

K
Submitted by Katonah, NY

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