Phased Distribution of the Vaccine

• COVID-19 Vaccine: Get the Facts
• What You Need to Know
• Answers to common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine

February 24, 2021 update: Pursuant to the Governor's announcement on in-person and catered events, please see updated Detailed Guidelines for Food Services on the Phase Three webpage of New York Forward.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announces additional Re-Opening Guidance for several Industries. Beginning March 5, Billiard Halls Can Re-Open Statewide; Movie Theaters in New York City to Also Re-Open. Beginning March 15, Weddings and Catered Events Can Resume Statewide. All Re-Openings Subject to Strict Health and Safety Protocols.

Governor Cuomo Announces Expanded Guidelines for Nursing Home Visitations

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced new COVID-19 restrictions on bars, restaurants, gyms and residential gatherings in New York State.

Delivery and Curbside Pick-Up without Alcohol May Continue After 10 PM; Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings at Private Residences Will Be Limited to 10 People; Gyms Also Required to Close Daily at 10 PM Statewide; New Rules Effective Friday at 10 PM.

In response to increased rates of COVID-19 transmission in certain states within the United States, and to protect New York’s successful containment of COVID-19, the State has joined with New Jersey and Connecticut in jointly issuing a travel advisory for anyone returning from travel to states that have a significant degree of community-wide spread of COVID-19. 

• COVID-19 Travel Advisory Webpage
• Interim Guidance for Medical Appointments/Treatment on Advisory
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Advisory

Statewide Guidelines - Essential businesses can operate throughout New York State.  Refer to Empire State Development’s Essential Business Guidance to determine if your business is designated as essential. 

NYS Industry Guidance and Reopening - Four Phases

Phase One - Businesses in each region will re-open in phases. Re-opening refers to non-essential businesses and business activities. Essential businesses and business activities that are open will remain open.

The guidelines below apply to both non-essential businesses in regions that are permitted to re-open and essential businesses throughout the state that were previously permitted to remain open.

Eligibility for reopening will be determined by health metrics for each region.

Here is a breakdown of industries in each phase:

Phase One: Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, New York City, North Country, Southern Tier and Western New York are allowed to reopen

Construction

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting

Retail - (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off)

Manufacturing

Wholesale Trade

Phase Two - The guidelines below apply to non-essential businesses in regions that are permitted to reopen, essential businesses throughout the state that were previously permitted to remain open, and commercial and recreational activities that have been permitted to operate statewide with restrictions. If guidance has not yet been published for your specific industry, but you are permitted to reopen, please refer to the NY Forward Safety Plan template.
Phase Two: Capital Region, Central NY, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier and Western NY can enter Phase 2 of reopening
Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Orders, the following businesses remain closed:

Malls; specifically, any indoor common portions of retail shopping malls with 100,000 or more square feet of retail space available for lease must remain closed to the public; however, any stores without their own external entrance(s) may operate via curbside pickup in Phase 1 and 2 providing purchased items to customers at or near the general mall entrance and any stores with their own external entrance(s) separate from the general mall entrance (e.g. strip malls, anchor tenants), may open for curbside and in-store pickup in Phase 1 and all in-store retail activities in Phase 2;

Indoor on-premise restaurant and bar service, excluding take-out or delivery for off-premise consumption in Phase 1 and outdoor on-premise restaurant and bar service in Phase 2;

Large gathering/event venues, including but not limited to establishments that host concerts, conferences, or other in-person performances or presentations in front of an in-person audience;

Gyms, fitness centers, and exercise classes, except for remote or streaming services;

Video lottery and casino gaming facilities;

Movie theaters, except drive-ins; and

Places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, family and children’s attractions.

Phase Three - The guidelines below apply to non-essential businesses in regions that are permitted to reopen, essential businesses throughout the state that were previously permitted to remain open, and commercial and recreational activities that have been permitted to operate statewide with restrictions. If guidance has not yet been published for your specific industry, but you are permitted to reopen, please refer to the NY Forward Safety Plan template.

Phase Three: Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier and Western NY can enter Phase Three of reopening.

• Restaurants / Food Services
• Personal Care

Phase Four -  The guidelines below apply to non-essential businesses in regions that are permitted to reopen, essential businesses throughout the state that were previously permitted to remain open, and commercial and recreational activities that have been permitted to operate statewide with restrictions. If guidance has not yet been published for your specific industry, but you are permitted to reopen, please refer to the NY Forward Safety Plan template. Phase Four: Not Open Arts / Entertainment / Recreation Education

Phase Four: Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier and Western NY can enter Phase Four of reopening.

• Higher Education
• Low-Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment
• Low-Risk Indoor Arts & Entertainment
• Media Production
• Professional Sports Competitions With No Fans
• Malls

NYS General Information

COVID-19 Vaccine: Get the Facts

Coronavirus Hotline

Dept. of Agriculture / Markets

Unemployment Information

Guidance for the agricultural industry

Interim Guidance on Executive Order 202.16 Requiring Face Coverings

NYS Hiring Contact Tracers 

NYS Forward Loan Fund - Economic Recovery Loan Fund

New York State Liquor Authority Guidance on Outdoor Expansion of Licensed Premises in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak

New York Forward Child Care Expansion Incentive and Temporary Operating Assistance Application

Lost wages Assistance Programs

Suffolk County & Regional Information

Northfork restaurants offering take-out services

Restaurant Employee Relief Fund -  grants for restaurant industry employees impacted by COVID-19.

Family Services League - Restoring hope and rebuilding lives

CDC - Stress and Coping

Suffolk County COVID-19 Cases by Town Map

SBA Loans and Information

Paycheck Protection Program

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus

SBA Grant Funding Program

Small Business Administration (SBA) - Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Available support for our business community

Coronavirus Small Business Issues and Solutions Guide

COVID-19 Economic Recovery Assistance

Frequently Asked Questions - Typically asked questions and answers you might have for us concerning COVID-19.