Nassau County Executive Laura Curran called on all the chamber presidents on Monday, April 27, to provide her with the concerns that merchants will have in the opening of their business once the governor takes New York off of PAUSE. The County Executive is a part of a the governor’s task force set up to figure how best to reopen New York State. The reopening will be done in stages, starting with the least impacted areas of New York.
It is considered highly unlikely that Nassau County will be released in the first wave unless the county meets three measures required by the CDC (1) two weeks of declining coronavirus-related hospitalizations, (2) a declining percentage of positive tests of the virus and(3) an increased testing capacity.The factor the county is still working on is increased testing capacity. Under CDC guidelines, the area has to have the ability to conduct both regular and antibody tests, and have tests available for first responders and healthcare workers. Curran said she is working with Northwell Health on testing, and hopes to have that worked out soon.