In another milestone as Long Island emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, East Hampton Town employees returned to their offices on Monday. The move came as the region progresses through the third of a four-phase reopening following the March shutdown of activity at municipal and commercial sites.
All town employees returned to their work sites on Monday. The reopening follows meetings of a reopening committee that met with department heads to review safety plans. Town Hall and other municipal buildings remain closed to the public, with nonemployees allowed to enter only by appointment, but they are expected to reopen in the near future.
The State Health Department’s NY Forward Safety Plan Template guided the town’s reopening plans, Councilman Jeff Bragman said on Tuesday. “It’s pretty straightforward for an office,” he said.
The state’s template emphasizes physical distancing and mandates that tightly confined spaces be occupied by only one person at a time unless all occupants are wearing face coverings. Meetings “should be held in open, well-ventilated spaces with appropriate social distancing among participants,” it states.
The town is to provide and have an adequate supply of face coverings for employees. The sharing of objects should be limited and the touching of shared surfaces discouraged. “Hand sanitizers and sanitary wipes are on everybody’s desks,” Mr. Bragman said.
Cleaning and disinfection are to be conducted after every shift, at least, along with frequent cleaning and disinfection of shared objects and high-transit areas such as restrooms and common areas.