East End Business Owners Plead For Phase 4 Opening 'Now'

RIVERHEAD, NY — East End business owners are coming together to ask for a Phase 4 reopening of the economy — now.

Business owners, East End chambers of commerce, and residents are urged to meet Tuesday at noon at the Long Island Aquarium, located on Main Street in Riverhead, for a press conference to speak out on the issue.

"We have a unique micro-economic region that is being ignored by Albany. The current phasing is causing overcrowding on the East End," the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce said. "It's urgent that we keep our tourists and community safe by opening to Phase 4 now. We must increase the number of places and businesses open to accommodate the people visiting our region."

As it currently stands, Long Island is set to reopen with Phase 2 on Wednesday, which would allow retail businesses, professional services, finance and insurance, administrative support, real estate, hair salons and barbershops to open. Outdoor dining is also expected to kick off again Wednesday, but indoor dining is currently slated as part of Phase 3; hotels and accommodations are also listed in the third phase.

Phase 4 includes arts, recreation, entertainment and education, and an opening date has not yet been determined, although Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said there should be 14 days between each phase, with an eye on science and data and no surge in new cases.

Recently, Cuomo announced that live high school graduation ceremonies could commence on June 26, with groups of 150 or less; Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has asked for "flexibility" and said due to size and density, the state might need to allow for larger groups on Long Island.