Dutchess County is calling on the state to open now, just days away from Phase 2 reopening.

 Ambiance Hair Salon in Hopewell Junction is working to reopen safely, including curtains separating clients.

"My stylists, they have to wear a mask, a face shields, we're doing throwaway capes, the Barbicide has to be changed after every client," says Meredith Marinelli, owner of Ambiance Salon Spa & Boutique.

Phase 2 includes hair salons, retail shopping and outdoor dining. It is set to hit Tuesday, but County Executive Marc Molinaro is calling on the state for Dutchess to open now.

"We've monitored activity and behavior of the disease in others regions that have advanced, as far as reopening quicker than we have. We believe, and our public Health Departments believes, it's safe to move to Phase 2," says Molinaro.

In their daily conversations with the state, Molinaro says he and county leaders in Putnam, Orange and Rockland have voiced their support in moving to Phase 2.

"We believe it's safe and appropriate to proceed to Phase 2," says Molinaro.

As he waits for an answer, he's doing what he can to help businesses with a PSA encouraging families to buy local. He also plans to sign an executive order waiving outdoor seating limitations.

"So that restaurants can take advantage of outdoor seating in a parking lot, expanded sidewalk seating and even...in certain areas where it's not a traffic concern, close a road so you can have outdoor dining," he says.

Jim Torrisi, owner of Plated Modern American Bistro, spent Thursday maximizing his outdoor dining seats.

"There's nothing more we can ask from our officials than to help us do our business," says Torrisi.

After the virus killed two-thirds of the business, Torrisi is ready to back in business.

"All the feedback we've gotten has been so positive about coming outside. I think p

 

eople can't wait, and we can't wait to do it," he says.

Molinaro says he plans to sign that executive order for outdoor dining by Monday.

MORE: LIVE BLOG - Coronavirus updates from the tri-state area and beyond