Phase 4 Won't Include Gyms, Malls, or Movie Theaters

We are moving in the right direction for more businesses to open. In fact, July 1st the Capital Region should be moving into Phase Four. Even though it's the final phase, it doesn't mean that everything is opening. Here's what will not be part of Phase Four. According to News 10 ABC, it appears that even if the Capital Region enters Phase Four next week, many of the businesses that were set to open in the final phase may not be allowed to.

Crossgates Mall has already petitioned the governor to let their indoor restaurants to open for Phase Three to no avail. Now Albany County Executive Dan McCoy says that the state won't allow all remaining businesses to reopen in Phase Four. There will still be those that remain closed including malls, gyms, and movie theatres.

The businesses that will be allowed to open in Phase Four will be museums, aquariums, film production, and zoos but only at twenty-five percent capacity.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said, in part:

"Unfortunately at this time, outdoor theme parks, malls, gyms and movie theaters have not yet been cleared to reopen at the beginning of Phase 4. As we get new information on any updated guidelines, I will share it as promptly as possible with Albany County and Capital Region residents.”

This update to what will be open in Phase Four is devastating to these businesses who have been preparing and following COVID-19 protocol to open in Phase Four. The good news is that numbers of infections are declining so maybe the decision to reopen will come in the early part of Phase Four. These business owners can only hope.