Cuomo approves phase 3 reopening in Central New York, four other regions

ALBANY, N.Y. — The Central New York, Mohawk Valley, North Country, and Southern Tier regions have received the go-ahead to begin the third phase of their economic reopening on Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday.

The Finger Lakes (Rochester) region is the fifth area that can proceed, he said.

The big new attractions reopening in this phase are restaurants and bars for indoor dining and drinking at 50 percent of their maximum capacity. Personal-care services such as cosmetologists, massage therapists, nail salons, spas, and tattoo artists also get the green light in phase three.

The announcement came after global experts reviewed New York’s regional data and provide the blessing for moving to the next phase.

The communication was smoother than two weeks ago when there was confusion on the eve of the five regions’ beginning phase two of their opening. That phase included offices, real estate, in-store retail (but not malls), and hair salons and barbershops.

Cuomo, at his daily briefing Thursday in Albany, warned businesses not to go farther in their reopening than the state rules allow.

“Please follow the guidelines and do what is permissible to do. People are very wary right now of businesses that are violating the opening rules,” the governor said. “So, people call and we get complaints.”

He admonished business owners about heeding differing advice from local officials who don’t get a say.

“Follow the rules … You can lose your liquor license; you can lose your right to operate. So, this is very serious. And short-term gain isn’t worth long-term pain,” Cuomo said.

The state posted guidance for these phase three industries online.

The businesses and attractions that are still closed and will have to wait until phase four of New York’s regional reopening include concert and sports-event venues, gyms, malls (internal mall stores and restaurants), movie theaters, museums, non-Native American casinos, and water parks.