COVID-19 Moving Forward Phases for Reopening

THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING of our community is our top priority. Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) is working closely with community partners to prevent and respond to the evolving novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

This page is no longer being updated.

(6/16/2021)

Updates Related to Reopening and Mask Guidance

moving forward badgeEffective May 19, New York State and Tompkins County will adopt CDC guidance stating that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in most settings. Consistent with the CDC guidance, Pre-K to 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and healthcare settings will continue to follow State's existing COVID-19 health guidelines including distancing and mask wearing until more New Yorkers are fully vaccinated.

Private businesses may still require masks for everyone in their establishments, consistent with the CDC guidance. Unvaccinated people should still wear masks in all settings while around others.

Additional guidance for Gatherings and Weddings and Catered Events.

On This Page

Updates: Executive Order 202.74 
  • Restaurants, Wine and Liquor Sales
    • All liquor and wine stores (off premise sales) must close by 10:00PM
    • All on premise sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages must cease by 10:00PM, and may resume no earlier than 5:00AM
    • All on premise consumption of food must cease by 10:00PM
    • Curbside takeout and delivery (off premise) sales of food and non-alcoholic beverages may continue after 10:00PM
    • Off premise and on premise sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages (liquor and wine) may resume no earlier than 5:00AM
    • SLA Guidance On COVID-Related Closing Times 
  • Gyms and fitness centers
    • Must be closed to the public by 10:00PM
    • May not reopen before 5:00AM
    • Master guidance for gyms and fitness centers issued in Phase 4, click here.
  • Gatherings
    • Any non-essential private residential gathering is limited 10 or fewer individuals, when social distancing, face covering, and cleaning and disinfection protocols are followed.
    • Non-essential gatherings that are not private residential gatherings are limited to 50 or fewer individuals, provided that social distancing, face covering, and cleaning and disinfection protocols are followed.
  • Read the full Executive Order 202.74 here.

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General Guidelines for Reopening

  • Phased Reopening under NY Forward refers to when specific non-essential businesses and business activities are permitted to begin operations following the guidance detailed by NYS. Essential businesses and business activities that are open will remain open.
  • What Businesses:
    A summary of business types that are permitted to reopen, with links to industry-specific guidance, is below.
  • Image of the poster described on this pageGuidance:
         for specific industries is provided by NYS.
    • Summary Guidance includes Physical distancing; Protective equipment; Hygiene, cleaning, disinfecting; Communication; Screening
    • Master Guidance includes People, Places, Processes, Employer Plans, Affirmation
    • Links are in the industry summaries, below
  • Required Affirmation:
    All businesses and entities are required to submit to the State an Affirmation that they have read and will follow the Master Guidance for their industry.
    • Instructions for submitting the affirmation are on the last page of every Master Guidance document. Use the Master Guidance link in the relevant summary below. 
    • The poster, “We are Following NYS Guidance” is available to display at workplaces who have submitted their affirmation to NYS. 
  • Keep Tompkins Healthy posterRequired Safety Plan:
    Businesses and entities are also required to prepare a Safety Plan, and post that Safety Plan on the premises of their workplace. Click here to open a NYS Safety Plan Template.

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Summary of Industries and Business Types

 PHASE ONE  |  PHASE TWO  |  PHASE THREE  |  PHASE FOUR  |  ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

Phase 1

  • Construction
  • Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
  • Retail - (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off)
  • Manufacturing
  • Wholesale Trade
  • Higher Education Research

Details and Guidance Documents on the NY Forward Phase 1 web page

Phase 2:
Executive Order 202.35 (5/29/20)

Offices, Real Estate, Essential and Phase 2 In-Store Retail, Vehicle Sales Leases and Rentals, Retail Rental Repair & Cleaning, Commercial Building Management, Hair Salons and Barbershops, Outdoor & Take-Out/ Delivery Food Services, Dentistry

Offices
  • Business activities where the core function takes place within an office setting, including but not limited to businesses and entities in the following sectors: Professional services, nonprofit, technology, administrative support, and higher education administration (excluding full campus reopening).
    • May also apply to business operating parts of their business functions under different guidelines, e.g., front office for a construction company.
    • Does not apply to medical offices, such as doctors’ offices or dentists’ offices. Details and exclusions in the Master Guidance document.
  • Summary Guidance
  • Master Guidance and Affirmation link
Real Estate
  • Residential property management entities, real estate salespeople/brokers, building inspectors, building appraisers, and related activities. Details and exclusions in the Master Guidance document.
  • Summary Guidance
  • Master Guidance and Affirmation link
Essential and Phase 2 In-Store Retail
  • All in-store essential retail business activities throughout the state, and to all in-store non-essential retail business activities. Details and exclusions in the Master Guidance document.
    • Does not apply to businesses covered under other industries.
  • Summary Guidance
  • Master Guidance and Affirmation link
Vehicle Sales, Leases, and Rentals
Retail Rental, Repair, and Cleaning
  • Businesses such as electronics repair, equipment rental, clothing rental, laundromats, other clothing/fabric cleaning services, and residential cleaning services. Details and exclusions in the Master Guidance document.
  • Summary Guidance
  • Master Guidance and Affirmation link
Commercial Building Management
  • Commercial/non-residential property management entities and related activities. Does not address tenants occupying office space and their employees and contractors. Details in the Master Guidance document.
  • Summary Guidance
  • Master Guidance and Affirmation link

Hair Salons and Barbershops
  • Hair service businesses including hair salons, barbershops, and other similar hair service businesses. Details in the Master Guidance document.
    • Does not apply to nail salons, tattoo parlors, or any other non-haircutting-related personal care services or activities, including but not limited to: beard trimming, nose hair trimming, facials, manicures/pedicures, makeup application, threading, tweezing, or waxing.
  • Summary Guidance
  • Master Guidance and Affirmation link

Outdoor and Take-Out/ Delivery Food Services
  • Applies to all restaurants and food services establishments including food trucks, and other food concessions in Phase 2 Regions.
    • Outdoor dining with seating for customers may open with tables distanced 6-feet apart
    • Outdoor bar seating may be opened only in areas where seating can be distanced 6-feet apart
    • Consumption of any dine-in food and/ or beverage must occur at tables or bar tops in these outdoor spaces
    • All staff must wear face coverings  
    • Customers must wear face coverings when not seated.
    • Dining and bar spaces indoors cannot open to customers
  • Master Guidance and Affirmation link
Dentistry

Business Safety Plan Template
NY Forward Phase 2 web page

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Phase 3:
(6/12/20)

Restaurants & Food Services, Personal Care Services

Restaurants and Food Services
  • Applies to all restaurants and food services establishments, including food trucks and other food concessions.
  • Indoor spaces with seating for customers may be opened, in accordance with the guidelines.
    • Limit indoor seating/ capacity to no more than 50% of posted occupancy. All indoor tables must be 6 feet apart in all directions, or with a physical barrier between tables.
    • Maximum outdoor capacity set by the number of tables the outdoor area can accommodate with all 6 feet apart.
    • Staff must wear face covering at all times.
    • Customers must wear face covering at all times, except when seated at their table.
    • Individuals seated together at a table must all be from the same party, though may be from different households. Maximum 10 individuals at any table.
    • Maintain 6 feet distance at all times when not seated at a table.
    • Reservations and order ahead options for dine-in customers (e.g., online or by phone) are encouraged.    
Personal Care Services
  • Applies to non hair related personal care businesses and services, including
    • tattoo and piercing facilities,
    • appearance enhancement practitioners,
    • massage therapy,
    • spas,
    • cosmetology,
    • nail specialty,
    • UV and non UV tanning,
    • waxing.
  • Does not apply to any hair related personal care services (e.g. haircutting, coloring, or styling), which are covered here, under Phase 2.

Business Safety Plan Template
Reminder posters for customer and employee health & safety
NY Forward Phase 3 web page

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Phase 4
(6/24/20)

Higher Education
Local institutions
NYSDOH Documents

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TCHD Coordination on plans developed by local institutions

Following recent announcements by Cornell University on their revised plans to reopen campus, TCHD remains in ongoing communication with Cornell officials, and continues to maintain capacity for contact tracing investigations to ensure successful quarantine and isolation. See also this 8/7/20 press release from TCHD.

All plans adhere to guidance from New York State and the Tompkins County Health Department and are aligned with TCHD. Each institution will continue to adjust their plans as new guidance becomes available from New York State and TCHD. See also press release from Tompkins County, 7/23/20.

The following are incorporated in the COVID-19 response plans from Cornell, IC, & TC3:

  • Ongoing Testing and Health Screening
    • Implementing protocols for surveillance and diagnostic testing to identify and isolate positive cases, including partnerships with Cayuga Health System and developing internal capacity where possible.
    • Instituting ongoing systems for health screening of students and employees for COVID symptoms on a regular basis.
  • Contact Tracing and Monitoring
    • Partnering with TCHD to support all contact tracing efforts and orders for isolation and mandatory quarantine.
    • Providing appropriate isolation accommodations for students, if necessary.
  • Setting Expectations for Community Behavior and Social Responsibility
    • Encouraging students and all Tompkins County residents to follow the latest guidance from the CDC, NYS Department of Health, and TCHD on mask wearing, physical distancing, density, and hygiene.
    • Using community agreements to emphasize a shared responsibility to protect the health and safety of all members of the community.
    • Implementing sustained education and communication with students, faculty and staff to create new social norms on- and off-campus.
    • Creating accountability measures to deter non-compliance with the expected social norms.
  • Engaging in the Tompkins County Community
    • Recognizing that higher education is a critical employer and economic driver in Tompkins County and the Southern Tier region and working to maintain that role in the community.
    • Fostering safe and consistent opportunities for students, faculty and staff to engage in the local community.
  • On and Off Campus Operations
    • Modifying traditional academic and campus life activities to comply with health and safety guidelines, considering mental health and well-being needs.
    • Increasing collaboration with off-campus housing and private landlords
    • Proactive collection of local addresses of students to aid in any needed contact tracing.
    • Reducing density in on-campus spaces and restricting access to campus spaces by the general public.
    • Planning potential future alterations to in-person operations based on an ongoing assessment of the pandemic and state and regional metrics.

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Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools
Image of a document about when students are permitted to return to schoolProtocol for students returning to school

An “IF…THEN” table for when students stay home from school due to illness or exposure, prepared by the Tompkins County Health Department. Click here for a PDF, or click the image to open a larger image.

 

Tompkins County Districts’ websites
NYSDOH Documents
  • School superintendents Dr. Luvelle Brown (ICSD) and Dr. Jeffery Matteson (BOCES) joined the County COVID Update, live streamed 7/15/20, video available here.

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Gyms & Fitness Centers:
  • Gyms and fitness centers can reopen starting August 24
  • Local health department inspection scheduled before or within 14 days after reopening any facility
  • All facilities may open after Sept. 2
  • County government may delay the start of indoor fitness classes beyond Sept. 2
  • Facilities are limited to 33% of their capacity
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times by staff and customers (with limited exceptions)
    • Bandanas, buffs, and gaiters are not acceptable face coverings for use in gyms and fitness centers
    • Face shields and cloth masks with ventilators are not acceptable face coverings in any situation (CDC)
  • Air handling systems must be certified as meeting MERV-13 level (e.g., HEPA) or greater filtration capabilities.
    • Facilities that do not have or do not control their air handling system must adopt ventilation and air filtration mitigation protocols, per CDC and ASHRAE recommendations.
  • Governor's announcement here.

Low-Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment
  • Includes outdoor zoos, botanical gardens, nature parks, grounds of historic sites and cultural institutions, outdoor museums, outdoor agritourism, local agricultural demonstrations and exhibitions; and other similar institutions/activities
  • Limit visitors to 33% of normal at any one time; maintain 6-foot distance except among members of the same household or party
  • Face covering required for visitors (over age 2 and able to medically tolerate)
  • Face covering required for employees when interacting with visitors or within 6 feet distance
  • Health screenings for employees daily; health screening for vendors and contractors when practicable
Low-Risk Indoor Arts & Entertainment
  • Includes indoor museums, art galleries, historical sites, aquariums, and other related institutions or activities
    • Retail associated with these venues must follow Phase 2 Retail guidance
    • Food services located within these venues must follow Interim Guidance for Food Services
  • Limit visitors to 25% of max occupancy of any particular space; maintain 6-foot distance except among members of the same household or party
  • Face covering required for all visitors (per NYS protocol)
  • Face covering required for employees when interacting with visitors or within 6 feet distance
Media Production
  • Includes all activities undertaken in motion picture, music, television, and streaming productions on set, on location, or at any production or recording site
  • Activities taking place within a production operation should follow guidance for that specific industry (e.g., hair and make-up, food services, construction services, property scouting, etc.)

Malls

Business Safety Plan Template
Phase 4 NY Forward web page

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Additional Statewide Guidelines

Travel icon -- Travel is discouragedGuidelines for Out-of-State Travel 

If you have additional travel-related questions, please call 2-1-1.

Domestic Travelers

There are generally no quarantine, work furlough, or testing requirements for asymptomatic domestic travelers, effective April 10, 2021.

Map of NYS and bordering /contiguous statesAll travelers must complete the Traveler Health Form except those who have (1) been out of New York for less than 24 hours, or (2) are coming to New York from a contiguous state (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts or Vermont).

  • All travelers who are symptomatic must immediately self-isolate and contact the county health department or their healthcare providers to determine if they should seek COVID-19 testing.
  • Quarantine is still recommended for all travelers who are not fully vaccinated or have not recovered from laboratory confirmed COVID-19 during the previous 3 months.*
  • Exceptions are for unvaccinated health care personnel.*
  • *Definitions and details about exceptions are in the Interim Guidance for Traverlers Arriving in NYS.

International Travelers

CDC and NYS recommend delaying international travel until the traveler is fully vaccinated.

International travelers must comply CDC requirements, which currently include proof of negative test or recent COVID recovery in order to board airplanes headed to the US. Travelers must complete the NYS Department of Health traveler health form.

Currently CDC does not require quarantine, work furlough, or testing requirements for asymptomatic international travelers.

New York follows that recommendation with the following exceptions:

  • Fully vaccinated individuals who have not recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months are recommended to get tested 3-5 days after arrival in New York from international travel.
  • All unvaccinated international travelers who have not recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months are recommended to get tested 3-5 days after arrival in New York, consider non-mandated self-quarantine (7 days if tested on day 3-5, otherwise 10 days), and avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe disease for 14 days, regardless of test result.
Canada

Travelers from Canada, crossing at land borders subject to the agreement between the governments of the United States and Canada, are permitted to travel in accordance with said federal agreement and need not quarantine solely due to such federally authorized travel. Travelers flying between the US and Canada must follow the CDC guidance for international travel.

Precautions for All Travelers

Irrespective of quarantine or vaccination status, all travelers should:  

  • Monitor symptoms daily from day of arrival in New York through day 14;
  • Continue strict adherence to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, including hand hygiene and the use of face coverings, through Day 14 (even if fully vaccinated); and
  • Immediately self-isolate if any symptoms develop and contact the local public health authority or their health care provider to report this change in clinical status and determine if they should seek testing.

Links for more information

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Sports and Recreation Activities

Higher-Risk Sports

Higher risk sports may resume effective February 1, 2021, subject to NYS Department of Health's Sports & Recreatiion Master Guidance, updated 1/22/2021. The State’s guidance is the minimum requirement; local leagues, facilities, organizations, and schools may issue additional guidance.

The Tompkins County Health Department has issued the following additional requirements and recommendations:

  • Sports organizations including schools must prepare a COVID safety plan in accordance with the interim guidance, post it on their website, and submit an email with a link to the plan to TCEH@tompkins-co.org for our files.
  • If the organization does not have a website, an electronic or hard copy of the plan must be submitted to the Tompkins County Health Department for our files.
  • Plans must address how compliance with requirements will be assured.
  • Tournaments are not allowed.
  • Sports associated with schools must comply with the corresponding school’s transportation plan.
  • Health screenings are required for all employees and strongly encouraged for players, patrons, and spectators.
  • It is strongly recommended that contact information for all employees, players, patrons, and spectators be obtained including names, phone numbers and email addresses, if available.
  • Carpooling is strongly discouraged.
  • Maintaining practice pods in small sizes without mixing athletes is recommended.

Key requirements previously in effect for lower and moderate risk sports now apply to higher risk sports as well. These requirements include:

  • Ensure 6’ distance at all times possible, this is of special concern in common areas.
  • All individuals not actively participating in sports must wear acceptable face coverings when in common areas or when unable to physically distance.
  • Players must wear acceptable face coverings unless unable to tolerate a face covering for the physical activity.
  • No more than 2 spectators per player. Other capacity restrictions may apply.
  • Signage, distance markers, and flow control are required. 
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on the field, court, or play surface, as well as drinking fountains. This should be done at least daily.

This approval for higher risk sports may be withdrawn based on an increase in the positivity rate and/or the presence of more transmissible variants of the COVID-19 virus.

Travel for practice or play for lower, moderate, and higher risk sports is prohibited outside of the Southern Tier New York region and contiguous counties/regions. Interstate travel is strongly discouraged and must strictly comply with the NYS travel advisory.

Note that the revised NYS Interim Sports Guidance now allows tournaments for lower and moderate risk sports.

Moderate-Risk Sports
  • Limited ability to: maintain physical distance and/or be done individually, avoid touching of shared equipment, clean/disinfect equipment between uses by different individuals, or not use shared equipment at all
  • INCLUDES: Baseball/ Softball, Doublestennis, Racket games , (e.g. badminton, racquetball), Water polo, Gymnastics, Field hockey, Swimming relays, Crew (2+ rowers), Rafting, Paintball, Soccer, Non-contact lacrosse, Flag football, BMX bike racing,
  • Type of play allowed
    • Individual or distanced group training or activities
    • Organized no/low-contact group training (e.g. sport camps and clinics)
    • Competitive team practices
    • Games, meets, matches, scrimmages (e.g. organized leagues, pick-up sports)
  • Type of play NOT allowed
    • Competitive tournaments of multiple games, meets, matches, or scrimmages requiring travel.
Lower-Risk Sports
  • Greatest ability to: maintain physical distance and/or be done individually, avoid touching of shared equipment, clean/disinfect equipment between uses by different individuals, or not use shared equipment at all
  • INCLUDES: Individual running, Batting cages, Hunting/, Shooting/, Archery, Golf/Mini-golf, Non-motorized boating, Singles tennis, Rock climbing, Horse events and competition, Individualswimming, Individual crew, Cross country running, Toss/bowl games (e.g. horseshoes, bocce, bean bag toss), Flying disc games (e.g. disc golf, frisbee), Ropes courses
  • Type of play allowed
    • Individual or distanced group training or activities
    • Organized no/low-contact group training (e.g. sport camps and clinics)
    • Competitive team practices
    • Games, meets, matches, scrimmages (e.g. organized leagues, pick-up sports)
  • Type of play NOT allowed
    • Competitive tournaments of multiple games, meets, matches, or scrimmages requiring travel.
All Sports
  • Youth sports: limit 2 spectators per youth player.
  • All protocols must be followed for distance, density, face coverings, and hygiene must be followed.

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Child Care and Day Camps
  • Includes playgrounds, at the discretion of the local municipality (the City, Town or Village).
  • Post educational signage regarding protocols. Use this sign or similar.
  • Does not apply to overnight child care and camp programs.

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Movie Theaters
  • Masks will be required at all times except when seated and eating or drinking. 
  • Assigned seating will be required in all theaters.
  • Social distancing between parties will be required at all times.
  • Additional staffing will be required to control occupancy, traffic and seating to ensure compliance.
  • Enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards must be met by theaters. 

Lake and Ocean Beaches:
Pools and Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds

Religious and Funeral Services:

Public Transportation
Special Education Services and Instruction
Graduation Celebrations
Professional Sports Training Facilities:
Cooling Centers
Auto Racing:
Racing Activities:
New York State Parks: parks.ny.gov/covid19

Business Safety Plan Template
NY Forward Statewide Guidelines page
 » Translations for Statewide Guidelines

 


NYS Cluster Action Initiative

The Cluster Action Initiative is a public health rule in NYS that identifies areas with a high density of positive cases and classifies them by three color zones: Red is the actual cluster, Orange and Yellow are surrounding or less severe areas. Each zone establishes gathering rules and restrictions based on the severity (color classification) of the cluster.

The metrics that trigger the designation of a micro-cluster are broken out into 4 tiers by population. Tompkins County is in Tier 3.

List of links and references.

Color Zones Metrics and Restrictions
Red Zones — Cluster Itself
  • Target Metrics (Tier 3)
    • Geographic area has 7-day rolling average positivity above 5.5% for 10 days
      AND
    • Geographic area has 15 or more new daily cases per 100,000 residents on 7-day average
  • Restrictions
    • Houses of Worship: 25 percent capacity, 10 people maximum
    • Mass Gatherings: Prohibited
    • Businesses: Only essential businesses open
    • Dining: Takeout only
    • Schools: Closed, remote only
Orange Warning Zone
  • Target Metrics (Tier 3)
    • Geographic area has 7-day rolling average positivity above 4.5% for 10 days
      AND
    • Geographic area has 15 or more new daily cases per 100,000 residents on 7-day average
  • Restrictions
    • Houses of Worship: 25 percent capacity, 10 people maximum
    • Mass Gatherings: Prohibited
    • Businesses: Only essential businesses open
    • Dining: Takeout only
    • Schools: Closed, remote only
Yellow Precautionary Zone
  • Target Metrics (Tier 3)
    • Geographic area has 7-day rolling average positivity above 3.5% for 10 days
      AND
    • Geographic area has 15 or more new daily cases per 100,000 residents on 7-day average
  • Restrictions
    • Houses of Worship: 25 percent capacity, 10 people maximum
    • Mass Gatherings: Prohibited
    • Businesses: Only essential businesses open
    • Dining: Takeout only
    • Schools: Closed, remote only

Restrictions are in effect a minimum of 14 days. The sponsors of mass gatherings found in violation of the rules are subject to a $15,000 fine.

References

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WHOLE HEALTH

Whole Health logo mark

Contact Whole Health

Brown Road office 
Public Health Services
55 Brown Rd. (Map)
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-274-6600

Monday–Friday: 
8:30 AM–4:30 PM

—

Green Street office 
Mental Health Services
201 E. Green St. (Map)
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-274-6200

Monday, Thursday, Friday:
8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Tuesday & Wednesday:
8:30 AM–6:00 PM

—

Frank Kruppa, Commissioner of Whole Health
Harmony Ayers-Friedlander, Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health
Brenda Grinnell Crosby, Deputy Public Health Director

—

Email Whole Health

Sign Up for Health Alerts & Updates

 

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