LI malls, gyms and theaters to stay closed in Phase 4 reopening: Sources

Shopping malls, gyms and movie theaters won’t be allowed to reopen in Phase 4, an aide to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Tuesday night.

“There are some things that don’t fit neatly into a phase that are going to require further study and we’re going through that right now,” Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi said. “We’re not going to be like other states that are inviting a second wave.”

Cuomo’s decision affects all the state’s 10 regions; Long Island and New York City have been the last to reopen, with upstate several weeks ahead. Businesses in Phases 1, 2 and 3 have reopened together on the same dates, depending on where each region is in the reopening process.

The sources said Cuomo will release details of his Phase 4 reopening plan on Wednesday, including guidelines for the sectors in Nassau and Suffolk counties that will reopen July 8.

Besides malls, gyms and movie theaters, Phase 4 includes colleges, public schools, museums, bowling alleys, catering halls and other places where large groups gather.

The reopening delay will hit gyms, movie theaters and small retailers in shopping malls hard, particularly those that are independently owned. Department stores and other mall tenants that have outside entrances were allowed to reopen as part of Phase 2 in-store shopping but those whose entrances are off a mall concourse have remained closed.

Image courtesy of thesatimes |

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