Coronavirus (COVID-19) and City Life

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See our Resources and Support page for food, financial assistance, and help for workers, businesses, and others in need.

See our Health and Safety page for information about COVID-19 symptoms, prevention, and testing.

Recently, a new coronavirus called COVID-19 was detected in New York City. This virus can cause a range of illnesses, from the common cold to pneumonia.

You can get information and resources to stay healthy and informed during the pandemic.

Text Updates

Text COVID to 692-692 to get the latest updates from Notify NYC.

Text COVIDESP to 692-692 to get the same updates in Spanish.

New York City businesses are reopening in phases.

The City is currently in Phase 4 of the State’s New York Forward Plan for reopening.

Within each phase, non-essential businesses may reopen if they belong to certain industries. 

Phase 1 (began June 8)Phase 2 (began June 22)
Phase 3 (began July 6)Phase 4 (began July 20)

Essential businesses and business activities that are open may remain open, but they must follow health and safety rules.

High-Risk Industries

Some industries are considered high-risk from a health standpoint. These include:

  • Indoor arts and entertainment, such as museums and aquariums
  • Indoor dining
  • Gyms
  • Malls
  • Movie theaters
  • Performance venues

The State is undertaking further study before reopening these businesses.

Complaints

To report overcrowding inside or outside of a business, or lack of face covering, visit the Social Distancing or Face Covering Complaint page.

To report a business that is required to be closed, or an essential or Phase 1, 2, 3 or 4 business that is allowed to be open but is not complying with necessary restrictions, visit the Business Reopening Complaint page.

To report a film or television production crew not following industry reopening guidelines, visit the Film or Television Production Complaint page.

To report a college or vocational/trade school that is not following health and safety guidelines, visit the Higher Education Complaint page.

Businesses

If you're a business owner, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Businesses page to learn about:

  • What you need to know as you prepare to reopen your business
  • How to comply with mandatory health and safety guidelines
  • Protecting your employees and customers
  • Financial resources and supplies

Workers

If you're a worker, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Workers page to learn about:

  • What you need to know about businesses reopening
  • Workers' rights and workplace rules
  • Health and safety guidelines
  • Documentation needed to return to work
  • Financial resources and essential worker benefits

COVID-19 Worker Symptoms Screening

New York State (NYS) requires employers to screen employees for COVID-19 symptoms before the employee can enter the workplace each day and maintain documentation of health screenings. 

To learn more, go to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Worker Symptoms Screening page.

The City is currently in Phase 4 of the State’s New York Forward Plan for reopening.

Essential businesses and business activities that are open may remain open, but they must follow health and safety rules.

Essential businesses include:

  • Banks and related financial institutions
  • Bike repair shops
  • Dentists
  • Grocery and food production
  • Healthcare providers
  • Laundromats
  • Media
  • Restaurants, bars, and cafes (Limited to food take-out and delivery only; waiver provided for carry-out alcohol)
  • Pharmacies
  • Shipping
  • Taxis and car services
  • Utilities
  • Warehousing

Get information and guidance on essential services under the State Executive Order.

To report an essential business that is open but is not complying with necessary restrictions, visit the Business Reopening Complaint page.

To keep New Yorkers healthy and safe during the pandemic, the State and City have issued new guidelines and are enforcing rules related to social distancing.

Stay home except for:

  • Essential needs and tasks, such as getting groceries
  • Getting medical care
  • Solitary exercise
  • Work

If you must leave your home:

  • Keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.
  • Wear a mask or a face covering when social distancing is not possible, including on public transportation, in stores, and on crowded sidewalks.
  • Bike or walk if possible. Don’t take public transportation unless you need to.
  • Stagger working hours, if possible. For example, instead of 9 AM to 5 PM, change some work hours to 10 AM to 6 PM or 8 AM to 4 PM.

Matilda’s Law

The State has enacted Matilda’s Law to protect New Yorkers age 70 and older and those with compromised immune systems.

If you are in one of these groups, please:

  • Remain indoors
  • Go outside only for solitary exercise
  • Pre-screen all visitors by taking their temperature
  • Wear a mask in the company of others
  • Stay at least 6 feet from others
  • Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary

Gatherings of 50 or Fewer

Any gatherings of no more than 50 people are allowed.

You must still keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others and wear a mask or a face covering when social distancing is not possible. Social distancing guidelines and cleaning and disinfection guidelines required by the Department of Health must be followed.

Learn more about cleaning and disinfecting guidelines.

Face Coverings

By the State’s Executive Order, face coverings are required for any individual over the age of two and those who do not have a medical condition that can prevent them from wearing a face covering. Employers must give employees free face coverings and proper protective equipment and provide replacements.

Business owners or building operators, or those authorized on their behalf, can deny access to individuals who fail to wear a face covering on the premises.

The City also strongly recommends that you wear a face covering indoors when you are around other people and you are not in your home, even if 6 feet of distance can be maintained.

Posters

You can get posters displaying reminders of the need to wear a face covering when outside the home.

Online

Download a social distance poster.

Download a social distance poster for grocery stores.

By Mail

Call 311 for assistance.

Complaints

To report social distancing violations or lack of face covering at businesses, parks, or playgrounds, visit the Social Distancing or Face Covering Complaint page.

To report social distancing violations, face covering violations, or overcrowding on the subway or buses, contact the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) online.

Public Parks

New York City parks and playgrounds are open, but some other facilities and spaces are closed. For a list of closures, visit the Parks page.

All park goers are asked to take extra precautions to stay healthy and safe. 

  • Solo exercise is allowed, but team sports (such as basketball, football, softball, and soccer) are not allowed
  • Keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others
  • Avoid gathering in groups

The City is increasing social distancing in parks that have a mix of tight spaces and large crowds.

The City will limit capacity at:

  • Sheep Meadow in Central Park
  • Hudson River Park Piers 45 and 46

And closely monitor:

  • Domino Park
  • The Rockaways
  • Coney Island
  • Orchard Beach

Public Beaches

New York City beaches are currently closed for sports, barbecues or large gatherings. New York City beaches are open for swimming.

You should:

  • Visit the beach only with members of your immediate household
  • Keep 6 feet of distance of others while swimming and on beaches and boardwalks
  • Keep beach blankets and chairs at least 10 feet apart from others
  • Wear a mask when unable to maintain social distance and in bathrooms
  • Refrain from group activities
  • Obey all posted signs
  • Not leave children unattended near water

Bathroom facilities are open, staffed, and cleaned multiple times a day.

The City will add fencing to control entry points. Access will be further restricted if social distancing or no-swim rules are not observed.

Open Restaurants

The Open Restaurants program aims to expand outdoor seating options for restaurants and bars. Bar and restaurant owners may apply to place outdoor seating in front of their food establishments on the sidewalk or roadway.

The Open Streets: Restaurants program also provides food establishments extra space by closing select streets to vehicle traffic on Friday evenings and on weekends. Only community-based organizations, Business Improvement Districts (BID), or groups of three or more food establishments can apply for Open Streets: Restaurants.

Learn more about both programs on the Open Restaurants page.

Open Streets

The Open Streets program closes streets to vehicle traffic to make it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to stay active while maintaining social distancing.

Open Streets are available daily from 8 AM to 8 PM (unless otherwise noted).

Learn more about the program on the Open Streets page.

Churches, temples, mosques and other religious buildings are allowed to operate with no more than 25% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area for services occurring indoor. For services occurring outdoors, no more than 50 people are allowed.

Drive-in or parking lot services are allowed.

If you attend a religious service, you must follow these health and safety guidelines:

  • Keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others unless you are from the same household or if for safety reasons, the core activity requires a shorter distance.
  • Wear a face covering at all times unless you are seated.
  • Don't sing unless there are at least 12 feet between individuals or if physical barriers are set up.
  • Don't hold or shake hands with members of different households.
  • If you are attending a funeral, do not touch, hug, or kiss the body of a deceased person who had been confirmed or is suspected of testing positive for COVID-19.

Learn more about health and safety rules for religious gatherings.

To report a construction site not following DOB COVID-19 health and safety guidance, go to the Construction Restart Safety Complaint page.

Non-essential construction sites were eligible to resume work on Monday, June 8, 2020 as part of Phase 1 Restart.

The Department of Buildings (DOB) Phase 1 Reopening Guidelines apply to all New York City construction activity during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, until any changes are made to the State’s Executive Order and related guidance.

Learn more about DOB's reopening guidelines.

Learn about owner and contractor guidance.

The Department of Buildings (DOB) will sweep every permitted work site to ensure that these restart safety requirements are met:  

  • 6 feet of social distancing, unless safety or core function of the work activity requires a shorter distance
  • Face coverings if work requires less than 6 feet of distance
  • Tightly confined spaces (for example: elevators, hoists) must be occupied by only one individual at a time OR under 50% maximum allowed number of people if all occupants wear a face covering AND 50% capacity must be posted within the cab AND at each landing
  • Readily available hygiene and hand washing stations
  • Visible COVID-19 signage and worker rights  
  • Communication plans for employees, visitors, and clients must be available at the site
  • Designated site safety monitor,  responsible for continuous compliance with all aspects of the site safety plan
  • Proper cleaning and disinfection logs
  • Effective contact tracing with updated logs of every worker in close contact with others on site

Enforcement

  • First 30 Days: Education campaign and orders to ensure compliance; DOB violations issued during the 30-day reopening period will carry no financial penalty.
  • After 30 Days: Inspectors will begin issuing violations to enforce non-compliance. Starting July 8th, 2020 violations will result in financial penalties, and further noncompliance may result in Stop Work Orders and summonses with accompanying civil penalties of up to $5,000 for each offense.

COVID-19 is currently impacting many government offices and non-emergency services. Although the City is still available for essential services, many government offices are closed or offering limited in-person assistance.

We encourage you to:

  • Use an Agency’s online services
  • Contact them through their website, by email, or by phone
  • Check their website for the latest service updates

Visit the following pages to learn about closures or service changes for:

All public schools, including 3-K and pre-K programs, closed on Monday, March 16 and remained closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.

Remote learning began on Monday, March 23rd. The last day of remote learning was Friday, June 26.

Get the latest information about coronavirus in public schools.

Submit a comment to the Mayor about public school closure policy.

Summer School

For information about schedules and programming, go to the Summer School page.

Remote Learning Devices

iPad Request

To support remote learning and help students stay connected during emergencies, the Department of Education (DOE) is lending internet-enabled iPads to:

  • Public school students
  • Private, charter, and parochial school students with disabilities
  • Charter school students who are living in temporary housing or in foster care

To request an iPad for an NYC student in your family, please fill out the request form.

Priority will be given to students most in need. All iPads are granted on a temporary basis and will later need to be returned. There is a limit of one iPad per student.

It may take a few weeks to process your request and deliver the iPad. You can get learn-at-home materials and activities on DOE's website for your student to work on without a device.

Request an iPad for an NYC student.

Get answers to some remote learning device (iPad) questions.

Learn about the new grading policy for remote learning.

iPad Assistance

You can get help with filling out the iPad request form, setting up the device, accessing applications, and resolving technical issues by phone.

  • Agency: Department of Education
  • Division: DOE Service Desk
  • Phone Number: (718) 935-5100
  • Business Hours:
  • You'll hear an automated message that will ask for your language. After choosing your language, press 5 for remote learning device assistance.

For help with technical issues, you can also:

Return to School 2020

You can learn about the health and safety precautions DOE plans to have in place for in-person learning in the fall. DOE will update the website on a regular basis.

Principals will hold parent meetings in July to discuss individual school plans. The DOE will also conduct family and student information sessions.

Learn more about DOE’s Return to School 2020 plan.

Register for a virtual information session.

Contact your school.

Fall 2020 Learning Preference Survey

Parents who want to opt-in their child for remote learning in Fall 2020 can fill out a Learning Preference survey. For those who opt-in, learning will take place 100% online.

The survey needs to be completed for each student that the parent wants to opt-in or opt-out.

Families who opt-in can change their mind and opt-out by August 7 if they want their child to attend classroom learning. After August 7, families will be allowed to opt back into in-person instruction on a quarterly basis during the 2020-21 school year. 

Families can opt for fully-remote instruction at any time.

Online

Submit the Learning Preference survey.

By Phone

Call 311 for assistance.

Private, Charter, and Parochial Schools

Contact your charter, private, or parochial (religious) school directly for any questions related to coronavirus preparation and handling, including school closures and graduation.

iPads for Non-Public School Students

To support remote learning and help students stay connected during emergencies, the Department of Education (DOE) is lending internet-enabled iPads to:

  • Private, charter, and parochial school students with disabilities
  • Charter school students who are living in temporary housing (such as a shelter or living with someone else temporarily)
  • Charter school students in foster care

To request an iPad for an NYC student in your family, please fill out the request form. All iPads are granted on a temporary basis and will later need to be returned. There is a limit of one iPad per student.

Request an iPad for an NYC student.

Get answers to some remote learning device (iPad) questions.

If you need help with filling out the iPad request form, you can get assistance by phone.

  • Agency: Department of Education
  • Division: DOE Service Desk
  • Phone Number: (718) 935-5100
  • Business Hours:
  • You'll hear an automated message that will ask for your language. After choosing your language, press 5 for remote learning device assistance.

Public Colleges

CUNY

CUNY schools, dorms, and libraries are open, but on-campus classes are not being held until further notice. Distance learning continues.

You can get more information online about CUNY colleges or contact the college directly.

Visit your CUNY College website to learn about closures.

Get CUNY coronavirus updates.

SUNY

SUNY has transitioned most in-person instruction to distance learning until further notice.

Visit SUNY's website.

Private Colleges

Contact your private college directly for any questions related to coronavirus preparation and handling, including school closures and graduation.

Complaints

As part of Phase 4 , institutions of higher learning in New York are allowed to reopen and offer in-person instruction, but they must follow health and safety guidelines.

To report a college or vocational/trade school that is not following health and safety guidelines, visit the Higher Education Complaint page.

Nursing homes are now allowed to have limited visitations. In order for a nursing home to have visitors, the facility must have gone 28 days without a COVID-19 case. 

Residents in these facilities will be allowed two visitors at a time and at least one visitor should be 18 years or older. 

Each visitor must:

  • Have a temperature check
  • Wear a face covering
  • Keep at least 6 feet of distance from others

Only 10% of nursing home residents can be allowed visitors at any time.

Learn more about nursing home visitation policies.

To report a problem with a nursing home, visit the Nursing Home Complaint page.

Child care centers can reopen on July 13.

Centers must follow strict safety guidelines including:

  • No more than 15 children per room, social distancing
  • Face coverings for staff and children
  • Daily health screenings
  • Frequent cleanings and disinfection
  • Limited sharing of items including toys

The Department of Health will inspect programs to verify compliance.

Contact your child care provider for more information about reopening.

Get health and safety guidelines for child care centers.

Child Care for Essential Workers

Child care is available for health care providers, first responders, key transit workers, and other personnel who are critical to the COVID-19 response effort in New York City.

Child care is also available for essential staff of:

  • Grocery stores
  • Pharmacies
  • Residential and commercial buildings
  • Restaurants/food delivery
  • Utility companies
  • Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry
  • Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  • Department of Environmental Protection
  • Department of Probation

At Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs), Department of Education staff provide children meals, remote learning, and activities to allow frontline workers to continue to serve the City during this health emergency. REC locations include early childcare centers and K–12 sites and will be available in every school district.

If you think you may be eligible to send your child to a REC, please complete the online survey.

Learn more about RECs and complete the survey.

Building Space for Child Care Facilities

Property owners with available building space that could potentially be used for child care facilities can submit application to rent or sell space to the City.

Submit an application.

Service Status

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) is operating the MTA Essential Service Plan on subways, buses, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro North Railroad until further notice.

If you're not traveling for work or for urgent personal business like a medical appointment, do not use the public transportation or Access-a-Ride paratransit in order to keep limited capacity available for people who must travel.

Online

Get the latest information about MTA service during the outbreak.

By Phone

  • Agency: Metropolitan Transportation Authority
  • Division: New York City Transit Customer Service
  • Phone Number: 511
  • Business Hours: Daily: 6 AM - 10 PM
  • Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Call volume is often high. If you don't get through, call back later.

Overnight Service Changes

Every day from 1 AM to 5 AM, there is no subway service to allow trains and stations to be disinfected. Bus service will continue to run 24/7.

If you are an essential worker and bus alternatives aren’t an option for you, you may be eligible for the Essential Connector Service. Essential workers can receive one free trip in a for-hire vehicle per night.

Learn more about overnight service and resources for essential workers.

Reopening Plan

As the City reopens, the MTA is expanding their health and safety measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep New Yorkers moving.

The MTA will:

  • Increase service on subways, buses, LIRR, and Metro-North Railroad to provide more space
  • Continue intensified cleaning and disinfecting procedures across the system
  • Enhance safety and security by deploying station agents, station ambassadors, and wayfinders to help you move through stations
  • Distribute mini hand sanitizer bottles throughout the system and install hand sanitizer stations in select locations
  • Install floor markings, arrows, and wayfinders to help remind you to keep space between yourself and others where you can, and to keep your face covering over your nose and mouth
  • Distribute masks to those who may not have them

Learn more about the MTA's reopening plan.

Health and Safety Guidelines

Face Coverings

All passengers using public transportation must wear a face covering at all times. The MTA will distribute face masks to customers who try to board without a face covering.

Social Distancing

Keep at least 6 feet of space between yourself and others when possible. Travel during less busy times if you can.

Violations

To report social distancing violations, face covering violations, or overcrowding on the subway or buses, contact the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) online.

Boarding

To keep a safe distance between riders and drivers during the outbreak, the MTA is temporarily changing their procedures on how customers board and pay on their buses and paratransit vehicles:

  • Local bus and Select Bus Service (SBS) customers will board and exit using the rear doors. You must still pay the fare if on-board payment boxes or SBS off-board ticket machines are accessible.
  • Express bus customers will board and pay as normal but are not allowed to sit in the first three rows of the bus.
  • Customers with disabilities may still board at the front of all local and SBS buses and as usual on express buses.
  • Access-a-Ride customers may board as usual, but do not need to pay the fare.

Learn more about the bus boarding policy.

Parking Rules

Alternate Side Parking Schedule

For information about Alternate Side Parking (street cleaning) changes or suspensions, visit the Alternate Side Parking (ASP) page.

Open Streets

When ASP is in effect on an Open Street, vehicles should leave the street and may return after ASP is over. If barriers are in place, they should be set up in a way that cars can drive around them.

While driving in and out of the street, please watch for pedestrians and travel at 5 MPH.

Parking Tickets

Any New Yorker under isolation who has received a ticket can request a hearing with the Department of Finance and should provide medical documentation or testimony, which will be taken into consideration when their case is reviewed. To learn how to dispute a parking ticket, visit the Parking Ticket or Camera Violation Dispute page.

Taxis and Car Services

Face Coverings

Protect yourself and others. All Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) drivers and passengers must wear a face covering. You can use a homemade mask, bandana, or a scarf.

Pooled Rides

For the safety of drivers and passengers, the City has temporarily banned pooled rides in TLC-licensed high volume for-hire vehicles such as Uber, Lyft, and Via.

This ban does not apply to paratransit vehicles.

Domestic Travel

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise residents to be mindful of domestic travel. If you decide to travel for non-essential tasks, try to protect yourself and others by following proper health and social distancing guidelines.

Learn more about how to plan for domestic travel.

International Travel

The Department of State advises United States citizens to reconsider travel abroad at this time due to the global impact of coronavirus.

As of March 11, foreign nationals who have recently been in certain European countries are restricted from traveling to the United States. This does not apply to United States citizens or legal permanent residents.

Learn more about international travel restrictions and advisories.

Travel to New York State

Effective midnight June 24th any person arriving to New York State must self-quarantine if they are arriving from a state with:

  • A positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average, OR
  • A 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average

The quarantine must be for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.

Identified states are:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

Exception to the travel advisory is permitted for essential workers and is based on how long they were in the identified states and how long they will be in New York.

You can report people who are not complying with self-quarantine traveling guidelines by phone.

Online

Learn more about the travel advisory.

By Phone

Call 311 for assistance.

 

 

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