NYC takes ‘biggest step’ in reopening after virus crisis
A worker sets out a trash can in preparation for expected crowds during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Jones Beach in Wantagh, New York, during the current coronavirus outbreak. As pandemic lockdowns ease across the United States, millions of Americans are set to take tentative steps outdoors to celebrate Memorial Day, the traditional start of summer. But public health officials are concerned that if people congregate in crowds or engage in other risky behaviors, the long weekend could cause the coronavirus to come roaring back. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Alexa Rodiulfo gets her dog Paco’s atttention at Fred’s on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on the first day of the phase two reopening of the city during the current coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Four-year-old Olivia Rigie, second from left, thanks New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, third from left, for reopening playgrounds, as the mayor dined with his wife, Chirlane McCray, right, as restaurant owner Melba Wilson sits with them at an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the current stage of the reopening of the city during the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. Playgrounds, hair salons, barber shops, and outdoor restaurant dining reopened Monday. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, center, laughs as he talks to the parents of a six-year-old child who thanked him for reopening the city’s playgrounds as he dined in an outdoor booth with wife Chirlane McCray, right, and restaurant owner Melba Wilson at Melba’s in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, dines with his wife Chirlane McCray in an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Members of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s staff and security detail watch a lone protester who holds up a sign that reads “Resign” as the mayor dined with his wife in an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Members of the mayor’s staff and security detail watch as a man rips from the hands of a protester a sign calling for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to resign, as de Blasio dined outdoors with his wife at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. Earlier in the day the mayor called restaurants “so much the identity of New York City.” The city ventured into a crucial stage of reopening as stores let people in Monday, offices brought workers back, restaurants seated customers outdoors and residents both welcomed and worried about rebounding from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Members of the staff of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio try to stop a lone protester who holds up a sign calling for the mayor to resign as de Blasio dined outdoors with his wife at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Maya Evans, right, toasts friend Tifffany Webster, 30, on Webster’s 30th birthday during the first day of the city’s phase two reopening from the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York. Under phase two, the city’s restaurants are allowed to serve patrons for outdoor dining with some precautions and restrictions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Peter Shamuelov, center, wears a protective mask as he gives a haircut to a customer at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Four-year-old Olivia Rigie, center, thanks New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for reopening the city’s playgrounds, as he dined with his wife, not seen, and restaurant owner Melba Wilson in a private outdoor booth at Melba’s in Harlem on the first day of the current phase of the reopening of the city during the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. Restaurants, hair and nail salons, barber shops, playgrounds and some retail outlets were allowed to reopen to the public. Olivia’s parents were seated nearby. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, dines with his wife Chirlane McCray in an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Plastic partitions separate patrons at Jake’s Dilemma the first day of the phase two reopening of the city during the current coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. In phase two, restaurants are allowed have customers seated for outdoor dining but with some restrictions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Workers prepare for the reopening of the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Esmerelda Amador shares a toast with her sister, far right, and parents as the family celebrates Amdaor’s recent graduation from dental school at a restaurant on Manhattan’s Upoper Weset Side during the first day of New York City’s phase two reopening during the current coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Customers wait on the sidewalk before receiving haircuts while a DJ plays outside Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Workers test social distancing at the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Sam Shamuelov, wears a protective mask as he gives a haircut to a customer at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Brian Nieh wears a protective mask as he receives a haircut at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in the Manhattan borough of New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Pedestrians pass the online order pickup area at the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Workers prepare for the reopening of the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Workers prepare for the reopening of the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Brian Nieh wears a protective mask as he receives a haircut at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in the Manhattan borough of New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Sam Shamuelov wears a protective mask as he gives a haircut to a customer at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Raja Akram sprays an alcohol-based sanitizer before cutting the hair of Benjamin Brand on Monday, June 22, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Barbershops were allowed to re-open Monday in New York City during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/David Boe)
Two people share drinks at the Gin Mill Bar & Grill on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on the first day of the phase two reopening of the city during the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. In the latest state of reopening, restaurants and bars are allowed to serve patrons for outdoor dining if they follow certain restrictions. This bar provided partitions with plastic sheeting between tables due to their limited sidewalk space. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
A worker sets out a trash can in preparation for expected crowds during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Jones Beach in Wantagh, New York, during the current coronavirus outbreak. As pandemic lockdowns ease across the United States, millions of Americans are set to take tentative steps outdoors to celebrate Memorial Day, the traditional start of summer. But public health officials are concerned that if people congregate in crowds or engage in other risky behaviors, the long weekend could cause the coronavirus to come roaring back. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
A worker sets out a trash can in preparation for expected crowds during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Jones Beach in Wantagh, New York, during the current coronavirus outbreak. As pandemic lockdowns ease across the United States, millions of Americans are set to take tentative steps outdoors to celebrate Memorial Day, the traditional start of summer. But public health officials are concerned that if people congregate in crowds or engage in other risky behaviors, the long weekend could cause the coronavirus to come roaring back. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Alexa Rodiulfo gets her dog Paco’s atttention at Fred’s on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on the first day of the phase two reopening of the city during the current coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Alexa Rodiulfo gets her dog Paco’s atttention at Fred’s on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on the first day of the phase two reopening of the city during the current coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Four-year-old Olivia Rigie, second from left, thanks New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, third from left, for reopening playgrounds, as the mayor dined with his wife, Chirlane McCray, right, as restaurant owner Melba Wilson sits with them at an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the current stage of the reopening of the city during the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. Playgrounds, hair salons, barber shops, and outdoor restaurant dining reopened Monday. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Four-year-old Olivia Rigie, second from left, thanks New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, third from left, for reopening playgrounds, as the mayor dined with his wife, Chirlane McCray, right, as restaurant owner Melba Wilson sits with them at an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the current stage of the reopening of the city during the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. Playgrounds, hair salons, barber shops, and outdoor restaurant dining reopened Monday. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, center, laughs as he talks to the parents of a six-year-old child who thanked him for reopening the city’s playgrounds as he dined in an outdoor booth with wife Chirlane McCray, right, and restaurant owner Melba Wilson at Melba’s in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, center, laughs as he talks to the parents of a six-year-old child who thanked him for reopening the city’s playgrounds as he dined in an outdoor booth with wife Chirlane McCray, right, and restaurant owner Melba Wilson at Melba’s in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, dines with his wife Chirlane McCray in an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, dines with his wife Chirlane McCray in an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Members of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s staff and security detail watch a lone protester who holds up a sign that reads “Resign” as the mayor dined with his wife in an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Members of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s staff and security detail watch a lone protester who holds up a sign that reads “Resign” as the mayor dined with his wife in an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Members of the mayor’s staff and security detail watch as a man rips from the hands of a protester a sign calling for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to resign, as de Blasio dined outdoors with his wife at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. Earlier in the day the mayor called restaurants “so much the identity of New York City.” The city ventured into a crucial stage of reopening as stores let people in Monday, offices brought workers back, restaurants seated customers outdoors and residents both welcomed and worried about rebounding from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Members of the mayor’s staff and security detail watch as a man rips from the hands of a protester a sign calling for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to resign, as de Blasio dined outdoors with his wife at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. Earlier in the day the mayor called restaurants “so much the identity of New York City.” The city ventured into a crucial stage of reopening as stores let people in Monday, offices brought workers back, restaurants seated customers outdoors and residents both welcomed and worried about rebounding from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Members of the staff of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio try to stop a lone protester who holds up a sign calling for the mayor to resign as de Blasio dined outdoors with his wife at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Members of the staff of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio try to stop a lone protester who holds up a sign calling for the mayor to resign as de Blasio dined outdoors with his wife at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Maya Evans, right, toasts friend Tifffany Webster, 30, on Webster’s 30th birthday during the first day of the city’s phase two reopening from the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York. Under phase two, the city’s restaurants are allowed to serve patrons for outdoor dining with some precautions and restrictions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Maya Evans, right, toasts friend Tifffany Webster, 30, on Webster’s 30th birthday during the first day of the city’s phase two reopening from the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York. Under phase two, the city’s restaurants are allowed to serve patrons for outdoor dining with some precautions and restrictions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Peter Shamuelov, center, wears a protective mask as he gives a haircut to a customer at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Peter Shamuelov, center, wears a protective mask as he gives a haircut to a customer at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Four-year-old Olivia Rigie, center, thanks New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for reopening the city’s playgrounds, as he dined with his wife, not seen, and restaurant owner Melba Wilson in a private outdoor booth at Melba’s in Harlem on the first day of the current phase of the reopening of the city during the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. Restaurants, hair and nail salons, barber shops, playgrounds and some retail outlets were allowed to reopen to the public. Olivia’s parents were seated nearby. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Four-year-old Olivia Rigie, center, thanks New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for reopening the city’s playgrounds, as he dined with his wife, not seen, and restaurant owner Melba Wilson in a private outdoor booth at Melba’s in Harlem on the first day of the current phase of the reopening of the city during the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. Restaurants, hair and nail salons, barber shops, playgrounds and some retail outlets were allowed to reopen to the public. Olivia’s parents were seated nearby. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, dines with his wife Chirlane McCray in an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, dines with his wife Chirlane McCray in an outdoor booth at Melba’s restaurant in Harlem on the first day of the Phase 2 reopening of the city during the coronavirus pandemic Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Plastic partitions separate patrons at Jake’s Dilemma the first day of the phase two reopening of the city during the current coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. In phase two, restaurants are allowed have customers seated for outdoor dining but with some restrictions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Plastic partitions separate patrons at Jake’s Dilemma the first day of the phase two reopening of the city during the current coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. In phase two, restaurants are allowed have customers seated for outdoor dining but with some restrictions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Workers prepare for the reopening of the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Workers prepare for the reopening of the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Esmerelda Amador shares a toast with her sister, far right, and parents as the family celebrates Amdaor’s recent graduation from dental school at a restaurant on Manhattan’s Upoper Weset Side during the first day of New York City’s phase two reopening during the current coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Esmerelda Amador shares a toast with her sister, far right, and parents as the family celebrates Amdaor’s recent graduation from dental school at a restaurant on Manhattan’s Upoper Weset Side during the first day of New York City’s phase two reopening during the current coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Customers wait on the sidewalk before receiving haircuts while a DJ plays outside Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Customers wait on the sidewalk before receiving haircuts while a DJ plays outside Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Workers test social distancing at the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Workers test social distancing at the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Sam Shamuelov, wears a protective mask as he gives a haircut to a customer at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Sam Shamuelov, wears a protective mask as he gives a haircut to a customer at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Brian Nieh wears a protective mask as he receives a haircut at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in the Manhattan borough of New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Brian Nieh wears a protective mask as he receives a haircut at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in the Manhattan borough of New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Pedestrians pass the online order pickup area at the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Pedestrians pass the online order pickup area at the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Workers prepare for the reopening of the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Workers prepare for the reopening of the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Workers prepare for the reopening of the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Workers prepare for the reopening of the Macy’s Herald Square location Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York. New York City hits a key point Monday in trying to rebound from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Brian Nieh wears a protective mask as he receives a haircut at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in the Manhattan borough of New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Brian Nieh wears a protective mask as he receives a haircut at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in the Manhattan borough of New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Sam Shamuelov wears a protective mask as he gives a haircut to a customer at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Sam Shamuelov wears a protective mask as he gives a haircut to a customer at Ace of Cuts barbershop, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. For the first time in three months, New Yorkers will be able to dine out, though only at outdoor tables. Shoppers can once again browse in the city’s destination stores. Shaggy heads can get haircuts. Cooped-up kids can finally climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. Office workers can return to their desks, though many won’t yet. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Raja Akram sprays an alcohol-based sanitizer before cutting the hair of Benjamin Brand on Monday, June 22, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Barbershops were allowed to re-open Monday in New York City during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/David Boe)
Raja Akram sprays an alcohol-based sanitizer before cutting the hair of Benjamin Brand on Monday, June 22, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Barbershops were allowed to re-open Monday in New York City during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/David Boe)
Two people share drinks at the Gin Mill Bar & Grill on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on the first day of the phase two reopening of the city during the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. In the latest state of reopening, restaurants and bars are allowed to serve patrons for outdoor dining if they follow certain restrictions. This bar provided partitions with plastic sheeting between tables due to their limited sidewalk space. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Two people share drinks at the Gin Mill Bar & Grill on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on the first day of the phase two reopening of the city during the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York. In the latest state of reopening, restaurants and bars are allowed to serve patrons for outdoor dining if they follow certain restrictions. This bar provided partitions with plastic sheeting between tables due to their limited sidewalk space. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City ventured into a crucial stage of reopening as stores let people in Monday, offices brought workers back, restaurants seated customers outdoors and residents both welcomed and worried about rebounding from the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak.
From Macy’s “Miracle on 34th Street” store to the World Trade Center’s office towers, the city was getting back to business, though with new virus-safety measures after a three-month shutdown.
Larry Silverstein, for one, couldn’t wait.
The 89-year-old World Trade Center developer was eager to return to his office there as Silverstein Properties staffers started coming back on staggered schedules Monday. Employees have to wear masks in the 7 World Trade Center lobby, and footprints mark where to stand in elevators now limited to about a quarter of their usual capacity.
To Silverstein, returning to office life and in-person teamwork brings “a joy, a fulfillment, such a sense of being able to function.” He doesn’t buy into arguments that the pandemic bodes poorly for office work or New York City.
“I went through 9/11. I remember people telling me we were never going to be able to get people to come back to lower Manhattan,” said Silverstein, who leased the twin towers six weeks before the 2001 terrorist attacks destroyed them. “Never bet against New York, because New York always comes back, bigger and better than ever before.”
At Macy’s famous flagship store, Tammi Marilus was in line when doors opened at 11 a.m.
Shoppers have to wear masks. Workers must undergo temperature checks. Makeup testing is temporarily banned.
Still, with the store reopening, “it feels like it’s coming back to normal, even though we all know it isn’t over yet,” said Marilus, 42, who brought hand sanitizer with her and was pleased to see workers disinfecting counters.
“We have to live our lives. We have to take risks,” she said.
But some New Yorkers were apprehensive.
Alex Michaels may return soon to a retail job. He agreed it’s important to revive the economy, but he worries about potential coronavirus exposure from working with the public, even with new safety measures.
“Something’s got to give. I get that,” said Michaels, 30, but there could be “a high price to pay.”
Eve Gonzalez, who’s not yet back at her food-industry job, feels it’s too soon to relax restrictions.
“I’m dying to go out, but people’s health is more important,” said Gonzalez, 27.
The virus has been blamed for over 22,000 New York City deaths, with the toll down to single and low double digits in recent days. Infections have plummeted from an early-April peak, but the last two weeks have still averaged about 250 positive tests a day, city data shows.
Reopening began June 8 with construction, curbside-pickup retail, wholesaling and manufacturing. The city estimated 150,000 to 300,000 additional workers would return to their jobs Monday.
Meanwhile, cooped-up kids finally could climb playground monkey bars instead of apartment walls. And shaggy heads could get salon haircuts.
Victor Suarez had a socially distanced full house for much of the afternoon at his barbershop in Queens’ East Elmhurst neighborhood.
“It’s a lot of changes, a lot of rules we have to follow,” Suarez said. “But it’s the new normal. We’re excited to be back.”
Monday marked just the second of four reopening phases, but Mayor Bill de Blasio called it “the biggest step,” particularly for a restaurant industry he described as “so much the identity of New York City.”
At Melba’s in Harlem, customers filled the 62 new outdoor seats faster than expected Monday afternoon.
“It’s like a dream come true,” said owner Melba Wilson, president of the NYC Hospitality Alliance. She said outdoor dining was “the infusion that we so greatly needed” after three months of struggling to get by on takeout and delivery.
Hours later, de Blasio and wife Chirlane McCray came for dinner on a patio set up in a former parking spot outside Melba’s.
Meanwhile, some shuttered offices reopened in business districts that became virtual ghost towns this spring.
Lawyer Greg Nespole went in to work near Wall Street feeling it was “about time to return to normalcy.”
“You don’t really feel like a lawyer practicing in your kid’s bedroom,” Nespole said.
Some of the city’s biggest corporate employers are sticking with largely remote work for now.
Only about 5% of Citi’s 13,300 New York City employees are expected back at the bank’s offices on July 1. JPMorgan Chase hasn’t set a date yet for returning to its New York offices; Wells Fargo’s time frame is July 31 or later. Pharmaceutical company Pfizer is extending remote working at least until the as-yet-undetermined date for city’s next reopening phase.
With work-from-home arrangements now established and employees concerned about offices, public-transit commutes and child care, many white-collar companies are “moving with caution and safety,” says Bhushan Sethi, a PwC partner specializing in workplace strategies. The consulting and accounting firm is not yet reopening its own New York office.
As the city reopens, retail worker William Rodgers is figuring out his next steps.
The last three months have not been easy, but “a lot of us have gotten time to reflect on our own lives,” said Rodgers, 29. “That’s one blessing.”
___
Associated Press writers Anne D’Innocenzio, Brian Mahoney and Jake Seiner contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.