As Nassau kicks off phase three of reopening – officials say cases of COVID-19 continue to trend down with about 1% of all those tested, testing positive.

“Since we began the opening process 28 days ago – we have seen an 85% decrease in COVID hospitalizations and 50% decrease in new positive cases,” says Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.

About 6,500 restaurants are now able to have indoor dining across Long Island at decreased capacity. In addition, services like nail and personal services have resumed.

Phase three also allows for outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people. Nassau County says it will now begin accepting applications for picnic permits for up to 25 people.

Nassau officials also announced that on July 6 more sports can resume including baseball and softball leagues whose home fields are in the county. Some soccer fields for soccer leagues will also be reopened.
As phase three begins, Nassau officials announced that phase four will bring some welcoming news. In phase four – indoor and outdoor museums can open with limited capacity, higher education, zoos, aquariums and outdoor gardens. Also, filming at locations in the county can also resume.

“Filming generates hundreds of millions of dollars every year for the county and is such an important part of our economic recovery,” says Curran.

Sadly, Curran announced that the opening of shopping malls, gyms and move theaters have been removed from phase four.