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Dear Friends,

As we approach the 244th birthday of the USA, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) continues to work with our colleagues in government and our media, entertainment and nightlife communities to advance an equitable recovery that fully realizes America’s promise of liberty and justice for all.

As part of this work, we remind you to fill out the 2020 Census. To date, only 53 percent of New York City households have completed the census. The census determines how the federal government allocates hundreds of billions of dollars every year to states and cities for important programs and services we all rely on, including education, transportation, infrastructure, and of course, healthcare. Additionally, the census determines the number of seats New York State gets in Congress, as well as our local and State legislative district lines. It takes just 10 minutes to fill out the form, but the effects of this Census will last for 10 years.

On Monday, July 6, New York City will enter Phase 3 of reopening. Phase 3 includes personal care businesses and services, and an expansion of certain film and television production activity to include principal photography with a maximum of 25 cast and crew. Yesterday, the Mayor and Governor announced that indoor dining will not reopen as part of Phase 3 in NYC and will remain postponed until further notice, due to the increase in Covid-19 cases across the country.

OUTDOOR DINING

MOME’s Office of Nightlife has been working with our colleagues at the NYC Department of Transportation, NYC Department of Small Business Services and NYC Health Department to provide operational guidance for restaurants and bars participating in New York City’s Open Restaurants program. The State's Executive Order makes businesses responsible for ensuring compliance with open container and social distancing rules within 100 feet of their premises. Businesses that repeatedly fail to comply will have their Open Restaurant authorization revoked and referred to the State Liquor Authority (SLA).

The City will have volunteers out over the holiday weekend educating people about the need for social distancing and face coverings and distributing free masks at outdoor dining corridors. The Office of Nightlife’s public awareness campaign It’s Up to You, New York encourages restaurants and bars, patrons and residents to work together to ensure that people socialize responsibly. In addition, patrons who are just picking up orders are reminded to Take Out, Don’t Hang Out. Business owners can help spread the word by downloading window posters and social media graphics here.

Information about Restaurant Reopening is available at nyc.gov/restaurantreopening or by calling the Department of Small Business Services hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC.

MEDIA PRODUCTION

Phase 2 production activity is already under way, and on Monday, July 6, the Film Office will begin accepting permit applications for Phase 3 production activity commencing on July 13 or later. During the COVID-19 emergency, MOME has implemented restrictions on film permits involving public property in New York City. A Commissioner’s Directive, plain language explanation, and FAQ are available on the Film Permit website. Please check the website for updates frequently and review the guidelines and FAQ before submitting permit applications. The Film Office is operating remotely, so please allow additional time for Film Permit processing.

All production activity, whether it requires a Film Permit, must comply with New York Forward Industry Guidance. Media production activities involve a variety of operations (such as scouting, set construction, and hair and makeup), and owners/managers of media production businesses should comply with relevant industry-specific State Department of Health guidance where applicable. See the State Department of Health’s Interim Guidance for Media Production During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for more information.

RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES

**Small Business Update** This week Congress voted to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application period through August 8, 2020, to allow small businesses to continue receiving financial assistance. The President is expected to sign the bill into law.

Under the state’s New York Forward plan, each business must develop a written Safety Plan for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Businesses may fill out this template or develop their own Safety Plan, which must be conspicuously posted on site and made available to the New York State Department of Health or New York City health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection.

Information and guidelines for businesses reopening in Phase 3 are available at NYC.gov/nycbusiness.

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is offering New York business owners a new set of resources to help them navigate the recovery and re-opening process. Small Business Advocates and Compliance Advisors will monitor a small business hotline — 888-SBS-4NYC or 888-727-4692 — to answer questions about the latest guidelines and regulations. SBS is also hosting Small Business Resource Fairs to provide information about requirements and guidelines to re-opening, safety plans, financial assistance, regulatory changes, employee support, licensing, inspections, and more.

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) offers information about reopening requirements and health and safety guidelines for the workplace, including FAQs for NYC Workers and an update about workplace laws for employers and employees to stop the spread of COVID-19. In addition, they have set up a Worker Protection Hotline at 311 or 1-212-436-0381 for questions about reopening or to report an employer that is not following reopening requirements.

DCWP and SBS also are working with business-serving partner organizations throughout the five boroughs to distribute free face coverings citywide to small businesses and their employees. If you are a small business looking to secure free face coverings for your employees, information is available here.

The Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Council at SBS has launched the NYC PPE + Reopening Supplies Marketplace. The Marketplace provides a one-stop-shop for easy-to-access suppliers of (i) face masks and coverings, (ii) face shields, (iii) gloves, (iv) cleaning and disinfectant products, (v) physical barriers and portable furniture, and (vi) other supplies needed for re-opening. It represents both local and national suppliers and manufacturers to provide a wide range of order minimums.

The City urges all New Yorkers to get tested for COVID-19. There are now over 200 testing sites citywide, along with at least 10 mobile units in order to reach as many people as possible. To find the nearest testing site, visit nyc.gov/covidtest. New Yorkers with symptoms or questions about COVID-19 can connect to a medical provider free of charge 9am to 9pm by calling 1-844-NYC-4NYC.

***

Our Music for the Soul series will conclude on July 3. Developed in partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals and AFM Local 802, the program has featured daily live performances by local NYC musicians on the NYC Health + Hospital’s Facebook page at noon-1pm every day.

For the latest updates, sign up for MOME’s newsletter, follow our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, or visit our website at www.nyc.gov/mome.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns or for support.

Please note that our offices will be offline on Friday, July 3, in observance of the July 4th holiday.

Stay safe,

Anne del Castillo

Commissioner

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

www.nyc.gov/mome

@NYCMOMECommish

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

nyc.gov/mome

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