GREAT NECK, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — It's now Long Island's turn to take the next step in its economic recovery.
On Wednesday, Nassau and Suffolk counties moved into Phase 3, marking the return of indoor dining at 50% capacity, nail salons, spas, tattoo parlors and other personal care services.
Many libraries are now also offering curbside pickup.
With more people heading back to work, there's federal money on the way to help daycare centers get up and running.
With an eye on the horizon, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is already looking ahead to Phase 4 amd continues to push for malls to reopen ahead of schedule, arguing that it's a crucial step toward revving up the economy.
"I will continue to advocate for malls to be able to be opened. I have been speaking to mall operators, they have very good protocols, detailed protocols about how to reopen safely with social distancing, sanitation, PPE," Curran said. "They clearly want to protect their workers."
But it could be a while before malls get the green light to reopen.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said malls, movie theaters and gyms have still not been cleared for Phase 4.
“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. This includes evaluating what’s going on in other states to avoid going backwards,” Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi said in a statement.
Phase 4 businesses could be divided into subgroups that open at different intervals as a way to keep coronavirus in check, sources told Newsday.
Meanwhile, New York has drawn up requirements and guidelines as colleges and universities prepare their plans for the fall semester.