Phase Two of reopening began Tuesday in the Mid-Hudson region of New York. Hair salon and restaurant managers are among those who have been prepping for the day, while a number of residents have been waiting to occupy a barbershop chair or outdoor table at their favorite restaurants.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro lined up outdoor dining plans for lunch and dinner. His plans were to head to the Arlington district of Poughkeepsie for lunch. And, for dinner?
“And then I will likely, my wife and I find our way to a table and chair somewhere in Red Hook where hopefully we can enjoy a glass of wine without four children,” says Molinaro.
To help facilitate outdoor dining, Molinaro, a Republican, signed an emergency order waiving some local regulations and requirements to cut through red tape and help restaurants get back on their feet.
“We have worked with all 20 towns, eight villages and two cities to identify any government obstacle that could come in the way of a restaurant expanding its outdoor dining capacity, and I have signed and executive that waives or eliminates those obstacles, including the closure of certain roadways and parking areas to enable restaurants to expand,” Molinaro says.
Democratic Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan:
“So today I am signing an executive order that specifically waives, or helps to waive, local regulation that would, that could delay outdoor dining,” Ryan says. “So ultimately, we’ll be working with each municipality to, as well as the state Liquor Authority to make any changes needed in zoning and ordinances to allow this to happen safely and to support our restaurants, all of whom I know are eager to do this.”
And he will open three county-owned parking lots, in Kingston, for additional dining space.
“So an individual or family would go to a restaurant. They would basically order takeout and then take it to this outdoor dining area where we’ll have tables,” says Ryan. “So we’ll be opening up on the weekends, starting Friday at 5 p.m. through Monday at 6 a.m., three of our county lots.”
In Phase Two, restaurants may provide only outdoor dining in addition to takeout. Republican Orange County Assemblyman Colin Schmitt says he was working on getting an appointment at his barber’s in Goshen. Today, though, he plans to enjoy outdoor dining with his wife.
“Yeah, the current plan is to head over to Delancey’s in Goshen this evening once legislative session ends,” says Schmitt.
And he’s put info about what’s open for outdoor dining on his social media pages.
“A lot of questions that have come across to my office is, hey, do you know any restaurants, do you know which places will be open, which places do have outdoor seating or who normally do not have outdoor seating,” Schmitt says.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was in Westchester County Tuesday morning.
“Westchester Rockland, Hudson Valley enter Phase Two today. Congratulations. Long time coming but you did it,” Cuomo says. “The numbers are down because you brought the numbers down.”
Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster Counties also make up the Mid-Hudson Region. Phase 2 also includes, professional services, finance and insurance, retail, administrative support and real estate rental and leasing services. City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison is part of a new video about his city’s gradual reopening. (sound from ad)
In Westchester County, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano will celebrate Phase Two by having lunch Wednesday at Midland Pizzeria & Restaurant. In May, Spano issued an emergency order allowing restaurants to apply for fast tracked outdoor dining permits. Approved Yonkers restaurants may use sidewalks as long as they separate dining areas from passersby and leave four feet of sidewalk open.
Long Island is expected to enter Phase Two Wednesday.
