As if re-opening after being shut down for months by a pandemic wasn’t difficult enough, the governor’s office has created a clunky online guide to “help” city businesses emerging from months of being shut down.
But instead of clear, simple directives, the “Reopening New York City” is full of lengthy recommendations, forms to fill out and robotic language.
“Ensure 6 ft. distance between personnel, unless safety or core function of the work activity requires a shorter distance,” the writing suggests, before directing business owners to 11 pages of “interim guidance” on the variety of changes now required for companies to get back to work.
With the Big Apple desperate to resume some semblance of normalcy after months of being mostly shut down due to COVID-19, Monday’s “Phase One” kick off has produced anything but enthusiasm, especially among some of the city’s high-end retail stores.
Just a few of the requirements stores and businesses now have to meet include installing physical barriers between personnel, ensure social distancing, keep elevators from being crowded and use video and tele-conferencing whenever possible, according to the state.