Workers demand protections as Queens enters next phase of COVID reopening plan

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo discussed New York City’s entrance into Phase 3 of the economic reopening plan Monday. Photo courtesy of Governor’s Office/Flickr

Gov. Andrew Cuomo discussed New York City’s entrance into Phase 3 of the economic reopening plan Monday. Photo courtesy of Governor’s Office/Flickr

By David Brand

Queens entered Phase Three of the state’s economic reopening plan Monday, with New Yorkers once again entering salons, tattoo parlors, tennis courts and dog runs. 

Though cases COVID-19 have steadily decreased in New York, the state backed off plans to reopen indoor dining in New York City to prevent a resurgence. The deadly illness rate has spiked in the majority of U.S. states in recent weeks. 

“We have the phases and then we have certain adjustments that we make to the phases,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday. “The numbers show you that we are right where we want to be.”

Nine people died of COVID-19 in New York Sunday. A total of 817 people were hospitalized — the lowest total since March 18, Cuomo said. 

Customers and staff are required to wear face coverings at businesses that have reopened, according to state guidelines. Social distancing remains in effect and employees providing services must be tested every 14 days, Cuomo added.

Workers in several sectors have demanded even more precautions to protect their health and the health of customers, including legislation enforcing the state guidelines. 

Transit, healthcare, construction and retail workers will gather in Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights Tuesday for a press conference to call for state legislation to protect workers from a new wave of COVID-19.

Labor organizers chose Jackson Heights because of its high immigrant populations. Immigrants in and around Jackson Heights, particularly people of color, experienced among the highest rates of COVID-19 in the world. 

Participating groups include the ALIGN: The Alliance for Greater New York, the New York State Nurses Association, Teamsters Joint Council 16, National Day Laborer Organizing Network and Food Chain Workers Alliance.

The event will be live-streamed at facebook.com/alignny/live