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Phase 1 is a milestone. Phase 2 will affect more residents’ lives

Long Island beginning Phase 1 of reopening the economy is a significant milestone, but not many of the industries that start back up will affect the everyday lives of residents – that change will be felt once Phase 2 gets underway.

News 12 Staff

May 27, 2020, 4:52 PM

Updated 1,668 days ago

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Long Island beginning phase one of reopening the economy is a significant milestone, but not many of the industries that start back up will affect the everyday lives of residents – that change will be felt once phase two gets underway.
According to the state, the second phase of reopening includes all retail, as well as administrative support, real estate, leasing and a broad category known as professional services, which includes law offices and businesses like accounting firms.
Barber shops and hair and nail salons will also fall under phase two. Those businesses will have to rethink how they operate to keep things safe from COVID-19.
Each business will have to submit a safety plan following CDC guidance, including wellness checks, disinfection, cleaning routines, social distancing and the use of PPE.
Bryan Karp, of RE/MAX Eastern Properties, says he's hopeful that phase two will bring back some personal interaction that's needed in the real estate businesses.
"The hope in phase two is that agents and brokers will be able to meet buyers and properties and walk them through…There's no reason that we can't conduct business in a safe manner."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo had said there would be at least two weeks between each reopening phase. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said it could begin even sooner than that if Long Island continues to meet the metrics established by the state.
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