Dutchess County began Phase Four of the state’s reopening plan on July 7th. 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.
For information on industries affected by each Phase, please visit our Reopening Requirements & Phases page.
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:
New York State announced on June 11th that garage sales are now permitted, however sales should abide by proper social distancing and include the use of face coverings and hand-sanitizer.
Gyms and fitness centers have been added to the Phase 4 industries for the State's NY Forward re-opening plan.
Gov. Cuomo announced, effective November 13 at 10 p.m., bars, restaurants and gyms, as well as any State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment, must close in-person service from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
To be eligible to open, gyms and fitness centers must:
Please note, Governor Cuomo has given New York counties the option to opt-out of indoor group fitness and aquatics classes. At this time, Dutchess County will allow indoor group fitness and aquatics classes. However, the County reserves the right to opt-out at any time for any reason, including an outbreak at a gym or fitness center, or locality, or an increase in the County’s infection rate. Furthermore, there will be a zero-tolerance policy as it relates to compliance. If an establishment is found to be out of compliance with regard to indoor group fitness and aquatics classes, the local government will issue a Cease and Desist order, which will prohibit the activities indefinitely. Keep in mind, the Governor can amend his determination at any time.
Additional Information
The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health is encouraging everyone to be safe while celebrating Halloween this year. Residents are reminded to wear face coverings, practice social distancing, and wash/disinfect hands often.
View specific safety guidelines for how to safely celebrate Halloween this year (.pdf).
Indoor Services
Religious gatherings at houses of worship are permitted with 33% occupancy, or the limit of the number of people that can fit within the space while maintaining a social distance of at least 6 feet at all times, and 12 feet if there is chanting or singing, whichever is the fewer number of people.
Outdoor Services
No more than 50 people are allowed in attendance for services occurring outdoors, statewide.
Masks and Face Coverings
Face coverings must be worn at all times except while seated, provided all individuals are 6 ft. apart except for immediate household members, however individuals should be encouraged to wear them at all times during services or prayers even when seated.
If singing or chanting is involved, then a face covering must be worn even while seated.
Updated guidance has been issued by the State for Jewish High Holidays. Key points of the guidance include:
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.
Malls can open in regions that have entered Phase IV of reopening if they have implemented an enhanced Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - or HVAC - filtration system and follow proper ventilation protocols.
Low-risk business and recreational activities, including landscaping & gardening, allowed to open statewide May 15th.
Additional Information:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that movie theaters outside of New York City can reopen at 25 percent capacity under state guidance starting Friday, October 23. No more than 50 people are allowed in front of each screen in each movie theater at once. Theaters can only open outside of New York City in counties that have COVID-19 positivity rates of less than 2 percent on a 14-day average and do not have any cluster zones. Theaters will be subject to rigorous state guidance and enforcement.
State guidance on the reopening of theaters includes the following conditions:
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
9/17/2020 - New York State Department of Health Announces Revisions to Nursing Homes Visitation Guidelines. Limited visitation permitted for facilities without COVID-19 for at least 14 days. Read the guidance online.
7/10/2020 - New York State Department of Health Announces Resumption of Limited Visitation to Nursing Homes
On June 3rd, Governor Cuomo announced outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted in phase two of reopening.
Outdoor tables must be spaced six feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings and customers must also wear face coverings when not seated.
More information:
When essential to the health & wellness of the animal.
Additional Information:
On June 5, New York State announced in-person special education services will be allowed this summer. Read the Executive Order from the Governor.
Additional Information
Lower Risk Activities
Moderate Risk Activities
Higher Risk Activities
Effective February 1, 2021, participants in higher risk sports and recreation activities may partake in individual or distanced group training and organized no/low-contact group training and, further, may partake in other types of play, including competitions and tournaments, only as permitted by the respective local health authorities (i.e., county health departments). Read the guidance from New York State Dept. of Health.
Local health authorities should consider the following factors in authorizing or continuing to prohibit higher risk sports and recreational activities as, in many areas, these factors may weigh against permitting such activities:
Activities include:
Travel for Practice or Play
For all lower, moderate and higher risk sports, travel for practice or play is prohibited outside of the region or contiguous counties/regions. Interstate travel for practice or play is strongly discouraged and, if undertaken, must strictly adhere to the requirements of the State's travel advisory.
Bowling Centers and Alleys
Responsible parties must follow these additional public health and safety measures:
Further, responsible parties of bowling centers and alleys may consider these additional public health and safety measures:
Golf Courses & Driving Ranges
Responsible parties should ensure players adhere to the following additional safety measures:
Additional Information:
Summer day camps statewide can open on June 29. Read the Governor’s announcement.
The State Dept. of Health will not be permitting sleep-away camps this summer. Read the statement from New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker on Overnight Summer Camps.
Resource:
Allowed to open in all regions beginning Tuesday, May 26th.
For more information, read Governor Cuomo's announcement.