Dutchess County is currently in Phase One of the state’s reopening plan. Industries permitted to open under Phase One are: construction, manufacturing, agriculture, wholesale trade and retail for pick up or delivery.
The following is a list of other permissible activities in Dutchess County and guidance outlined by New York State and the County. This list will be updated on a regular basis, so if you have questions about a certain activity, check this page often.
Added to the guidance as essential health care operation.
Additional Information:
Added to the guidance as essential service
Additional Information:
Allowed to open statewide May 25th
For more information, read Governor Cuomo's announcement.
Governor Cuomo announced dentists are allowed to reopen statewide June 1st.
Dentists and dental practices have been added to the list of essential health operations found here:
https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
Low-risk business and recreational activities, including drive-in movie theaters are allowed to open statewide as of May 15th.
Additional Information:
Religious gatherings of no more than 10 people and those held at drive-in theaters or in parking lots are allowed statewide as of Thursday, May 21st.
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Hunting and trapping facilities are permitted to resume outdoor recreation activities with restrictions. Read the re-opening guidance from the State. Look up your business on the State's NY Forward Lookup Tool.
Any group activities (group lessons, camps) remain banned at this time pursuant to Executive Order 202.10, "all non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reasons are canceled or postponed."
However, on May 11th, Governor Cuomo announced, “that certain low-risk business and recreational activities will be ready to reopen statewide on May 15th, including landscaping and gardening; outdoor, low-risk recreational activities such as tennis; and drive-in movie theaters.”
On May 16th, the guidance was updated as it relates to the recreation category stating, “outdoor, low-risk recreational activities are permitted so long as social distancing and cleaning/disinfecting measures are in place.” Therefore, we believe the other activities such as individual lessons and therapeutic riding programs are low-risk business and recreational activities, and therefore permitted.
Low-risk business and recreational activities, including landscaping & gardening, allowed to open statewide May 15th.
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Municipal libraries and library districts are allowed to open, but should maintain social distancing and follow safety guidelines.
Confirmed by Mid-Hudson Regional Control Room, May 19, 2020 meeting
Additional Information:
When essential to the health & wellness of the animal.
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According to guidance on Executive Order 202.6, updated May 19th, “essential retail” includes the following guidance, “in regions that are not within the first phase of the state's regional reopening plan, delivery for orders placed remotely, via phone or online, at non-essential retail establishments; provided, however, that only one employee is physically present at the business location to fulfill orders.”
We believe having one employee working in certain businesses may violate the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and where an owner is not considered an employee, it should be acceptable to have them both inside fulfilling orders so long as they can maintain social distancing, and are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The facility must also be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with CDC guidelines. Furthermore, “delivery” is not defined, so in the absence of additional guidance, we believe delivery to the home, the parking lot of the business, or customer's vehicle is acceptable, so long as there is a contactless order and delivery process.
Please know, the Governor's executive orders and guidance can change at any time, and facilities should check with their insurance companies to confirm coverage. Additional guidance has been published by the CDC for businesses and workplaces.
Allowed to open in all regions beginning Tuesday, May 26th.
For more information, read Governor Cuomo's announcement.
