This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On June 8, 2020, New York City began its reopening process after three months of COVID-19 outbreak and hardship.
Some businesses, including textile manufacturers, started to cautiously return to work. However, only about a third of textile workers in the city were expected to be back at work on Monday, according to Edgar Romney, the secretary-treasurer of Workers United/SEIU.
Businesses that were operating had altered their shifts to reduce crowding and installed plastic shields to separate tightly packed sewing machines. Many businesses, particularly in Midtown Manhattan, remained closed, Romney said.
For retailers, the situation was even more complex. Just opening the doors did not guarantee that customers would return, and curbside pickup did not make sense for many retailers, especially in Manhattan.
Business groups stated that many retailers were waiting for the next phase, when outdoor dining would be allowed, office workers could return, and shoppers could enter and browse around all types of stores.
Mayor de Blasio anticipated that the city would not move into the next phase until early July, despite state mandates that each phase last at least two weeks.
Thomas J. Grech, president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, asked, “Businesses can be ready, but are the consumers ready?” He emphasized the importance of demonstrating to the buying public that businesses were making it safe.
