County Executive George Latimer and key members of his Operations and Economic Development team held a virtual Town Hall last week with municipal leaders and business owners bordering the State of Connecticut to discuss challenges surrounding re-opening our region.
Latimer said: “Our intergovernmental team and our economic development team are here to work as your partners. Anywhere along the line, if you have an idea, question, something specific on a high level policy issue, reach out to my administration to assist in anyway. We try very hard to have an open dialogue and are here to help you. We want this economy open but in a way that does not spread the virus.”
On the call, issues relating to the County’s efforts in both lobbying the state for certain measures pertaining to local Westchester businesses as well as direct action that can be taken by the County, like the Department of Health working with local businesses to develop outdoor or alternative service locations, were discussed.
To prepare for reopening, businesses in any given phase are required to document a detailed plan for a safe reopening and read the detailed guidance provided by NYS and submit an affirmation.
The Mid-Hudson Region which encompasses Westchester, as well as Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, Ulster and Dutchess Counties, entered into Phase 1 of the State’s reopening process on Tuesday, May 26.
In order to move to Phase 2, the Region must not see spikes in any of the key metrics (total hospitalizations, new hospitalizations, deaths) for 14 days since the start of Phase 1. Additionally, the State will take some time after the 14 days to deeply analyze the metrics to ensure that there no indications of any issues prior to giving approval to enter Phase 2.
Phase 1 businesses include:
- Construction
- Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
- Retail (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off)
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale Trade
- Offices
- Real Estate
- Essential and Phase II In-Store Retail
- Vehicle Sales, Leases, and Rentals
- Retail Rental, Repair, and Cleaning
- Commercial Building Management
- Hair Salons and Barbershops
About Westchester County
Westchester County, located in the heart of the historic Hudson Valley, covers 500 square miles and has a population of just under a million. Originally home to Native Americans, who were members of the Lenape tribe, it is today a rich mix of many cultures and landscapes. The County is a blend of bustling cities, quaint villages and picturesque towns as well as open spaces and a network of beautiful parks. Westchester is made up of 6 cities, 19 towns and 20 villages. Westchester County is known for top-notch public schools, and a high quality of life. The County is also an intellectual capital, boasting a highly educated workforce, competitive colleges and universities, Fortune 500 companies, world changing non-profits, and cutting-edge research centers. Westchester is led by County Executive George Latimer, who took office in January 2018 as the ninth County Executive. Using inclusion and openness as a foreground, Latimer is fighting to make Westchester a destination for all people to live, work and enjoy. Learn more about Westchester County by visiting www.westchestergov.com