Reopening Guidance for Businesses Made Simple

As New York emerges from lockdown and businesses start to reopen, it’s important to know what the State requires of businesses before opening their doors. The requirements vary by industry, so be sure to check out the Governor’s New York Forward website for industry-specific guidelines. If you are unsure as to which category your business falls into , you can use the industry look up tool.

To help businesses understand their obligations as they reopen, the New York City Department of Small Business Services has created a plain language checklist for reopening. There, businesses can access State guidelines, forms to affirm that you have read the guidelines, and a template safety plan that businesses are required to complete prior to reopening.

If you are having trouble navigating the requirements, the NYC Department of Small Business Services is also offering a series of webinars on Phase One of reopening. Topics will include State requirements for businesses, best practices for reopening, employee support, compliance and enforcement, and resources available for your businesses. The webinar series has already begun and runs through Monday, July 6. Check SBS’s Eventbrite page for dates and details.

As we continue to learn more about timelines for reopening and guidance for subsequent phases, we will be sure to update you on requirements to ensure the safety of your staff and your patrons. Due to the ever-changing nature of the pandemic and the recovery, be sure to refer to the Governor’s New York Forward website for the most up-to-date guidance by industry.

Photo credit: NYC SBS