Looking ahead to final stage of reopening

Phase four to bring back entertainment venues, colleges

Movie theaters, comedy clubs and museums are among the venues that will be able to open their doors for the first time since March under the fourth phase of New York’s economic reopening.

Colleges, universities and other educational facilities will also be permitted to open in the state under phase four, though schools had already been closed through the 2019-2020 academic year.

Reopening phases for each of New York’s 10 regions are determined by when they meet certain health- and reporting related benchmarks every two weeks. The Capital Region reached phase three last Wednesday, making July 1 the earliest it can reach phase four.

Five regions — central New York, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, Finger Lakes and the North Country — may be able to open in phase four as soon as Friday.

Phase four is the last of the state’s reopening phases, consisting primarily of entertainment venues and higher education. Places like casinos, zoos and aquariums will also be allowed to open if they follow strict requirements regarding social distancing, sanitation and other public health considerations. Areas north of the Mid-hudson region have reached phase three. Mid-hudson, New York City and Long Island remain in phase two.

Businesses are required to develop a written safety plan. The plan does not need to be submitted to the state, but should be kept on premises. Requirements include 50 percent capacity caps, free masks for all employees and signs posted throughout the business reminding customers to maintain 6 feet of separation.

Educational facilities have their own set of requirements, to include mandatory health screenings for students, staff and scheduled visitors. Employees working on campus must be screened on a daily basis, while students need to be screened periodically.

Shops inside of indoor malls still have not been given a phase or a date during which they may reopen.