Brookhaven Town Providing Social Distancing Permits To Businesses

TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, NY — As Long Island moves forward with the reopening process amid the coronavirus pandemic, businesses are working to find ways to safely begin serving their customers again. Brookhaven Town officials announced on Tuesday that they are now accepting applications for COVID-19 Social Distancing Accommodations to help businesses and houses of worship to expand to outdoor seating and sales.

The permits, which are being fast tracked by the town and will have fees waived, will allow local businesses to immediately open as Long Island enters Phase II of reopening from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's PAUSE initiative. All permits for the temporary expansion of these businesses expire on November 1, 2020.

The types of businesses eligible to apply for these permits include:

• Restaurants
• Retail sales establishments
• Personal service shops
• Places of worship
• Health clubs
• Delicatessens
• Assembly and social recreation halls
• Offices
• Movie theatres
• Non-degree-granting instruction/program except those associated with manufacturing or driver training
• Tasting rooms as an accessory to a permitted principal farm brewery, cidery, distillery, or winery use
• Large commercial retailer, except those deemed essential business

"Shortly after the NY-PAUSE was instituted by Governor Cuomo, the Town formed the Brookhaven Recovery Task Force to assist our local businesses restart our local economy," Supervisor Ed Romaine said in a statement. "Through their work, we have implemented this strategy to allow businesses to expand their operations beyond the confines of their four walls so that they can maintain distancing and keep their customers and employees safe without drastically reducing their operation."

The permits can be used by businesses and houses of worship that have been authorized to reopen by the state, but lack the indoor areas or facilities to accommodate COVID-19 social distancing requirements or occupancy restrictions, and wish to temporarily use existing outdoor areas, install pick-up windows or add parking lot signs.

The application is available on the Town of Brookhaven website at BrookhavenNY.gov. For
more information, call the Town of Brookhaven Planning Division at 631-451-6400.