Should you travel to NYC now? New York City Covid guide
New York City was one of the epicenters of Covid-19.
What is NYC like when life slowly returns to normal and should you travel there?
Can you use public transportation or see a Broadway musical? Let’s explore.
1. First, let’s take a look at new health-related rules in public
MASKS
Masks or any kind of face cloths that fit over the nose and mouth became a requirement in all public indoor areas such as airports, museums, hotel lobbies, and public transportation. Depending on when you’re reading this, masks and other preventive measurements may not be required anymore. Just check the link in the description.
HAND SANITIZERS
Using hand sanitizers when you enter the store or any other establishment became a norm. One of the best ways to protect against Coronavirus and many other diseases is to wash your hands and use hand sanitizers. While you can find many hand sanitizers throughout the city, we suggest bringing your own hand sanitizer and use it anytime you touch elevator buttons, handrails, etc.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Many places in New York City, mostly indoors, including shops, museums, public transportation, as well as public outdoor areas, require the minimum social distance of six feet.
TEMPERATURE CHECKS
Some places will require a temperature check before entering. However, large infrared cameras that can measure your temperature from a distance have been installed, so you don’t have to spend extra time in line.
MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY
Many places now have a maximum occupancy rule, or in other words, how many people can be in the building at the same time.
2. Can you use public transportation, and how?
New York’s numerous transportation options make it easy to get around the city, and apart from the social distancing measures and health precautions, nothing significant has changed, so you’ll still be able to get an Uber or ride the metro without major interruptions.
Most lines operate regularly, although some timetables might have been adjusted. To be sure, always check google maps or a similar app to see updated real-life timetables.
You are currently required to wear masks when using public transportation, including Ubers. Subways, stations, and terminals are being cleaned every day, and hand sanitizers are available to the passengers. The best prevention you can take is to avoid crowds at all costs. Try using the metro during off-peak times and wait for the next metro or bus that is less crowded.
On some stations, there are also vending machines where you can purchase masks. Also, cash transactions at booths have been eliminated.
Airports are also adapting to the new cleaning policies to ensure public safety, like maintaining six feet of distance between passengers. You are also expected to put your boarding pass on the pass/scan reader by yourself.
3. About restaurants and bars
It might be a while before we can experience pre-Corona restaurants and bars in New York. Some places have shut down or remain closed, and most local bars, shops, and restaurants have adapted their business to the new safety standards and are reopening over multiple phases.
At the time of the making of writing, resultants are only open outside, meaning there is no sitting indoors available, and even restrooms may be closed. Most of the places that remain open have set up seating areas on sidewalks to create the best possible experience in these new circumstances.
In the outdoor areas you must be at least six feet from another table or a seat, and if that is not possible, there is a plastic divider between the tables. Although there is an official recommendation on wearing masks while seated, very few restaurants enforce this regulation since it is unpractical. Usually, people wear masks just until they are seated.
Also, restaurants and bars cannot serve alcohol unless you purchase food too. Some restaurants and bars sell the so-called drinks to-go, but it can only be sold with a takeout order.
4. Let’s look at how the Coronavirus has changed lodging and accommodation in New York City
While many hotels in New York City are closed, and some will probably remain closed even after the pandemic, there are still many that are open.
And don’t worry, the standards and newly imposed protocols for cleaning and disinfection in New York are in place. For instance, daily room cleaning and disinfection are now required, and the cleaning is now deeper and longer. If you want to be on the safe side, you can stick to well-known hotel chains that follow strict in-company procedures. If you have any questions, contact your accommodation in advance.
Currently, you are required to wear masks in the common areas such as the lobby and elevator, and some guests are required to fill out a traveler health form if they are coming from.
And just a quick tip: since we never know what’s going to happen, we suggest reserving accommodation with a cancellation option.
5. Contactless payments are the new normal
The new preferred payment method is contactless payment, mostly because it requires less or no physical contact than other transactions. Businesses in NYC have quickly adapted and accepted contactless credit cards and Apple Pay, where no actual contact is necessary.
Objects other people touch regularly carry a higher risk of contracting the virus. That includes money, ATMs, and payment terminals, so we suggest using contactless payments wherever you have a chance.
To avoid additional risk, you can also prepay your accommodation using services like Airbnb and Booking.com to avoid any unnecessary contact when staying at your there. Also, you can book and pay for many of the famous attractions, such as observation decks or museums online.
6. What indoor activates you can and can’t plan in New York?
From shopping to world-renowned museums, New York offers endless indoor activities. And while many establishments may be closed, businesses are reopening. Here’s info on the most common places:
SHOPPING & RETAIL
New York is one of the top shopping areas in the world. Retailers must adapt to the new measures, including limiting capacity to 50%, keeping the social distance of six feet, samplers or bars within the shop are closed, and shoppers are encouraged to use contactless payments wherever possible.
MUSEUMS
There is a 25% maximum occupancy at museums and other related venues, you should maintain the six feet social distance, and buy tickets online whenever possible. Group tours are available inside the museums but have to follow social gathering requirements at all times.
At the time of the making of this article, the Statue of Liberty is open, except for indoor areas and the Statue Cruises, the only official cruise provider that takes you to the island is operating and following strict safety measures.
OBSERVATION DECKS
New York City is famous for its skyline, and its impressive observation decks. Top of the Rock on Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building and the Edge, and One World Observatory are currently open, with all the safety measures in place.
MOVIES AND BROADWAY SHOWS
Movie theaters remain closed indefinitely because according to the New York Governor “Cinemas are less essential and come with a higher risk of virus transmission among patrons.”
And if you are planning to attend a Broadway show, unfortunately, they are not coming back until 2021.
Always check Google and the official website for current opening hours and other information and know that sometimes even that information may be incorrect.
7. And here comes the fun part – the outdoor activities
There is an array of unique activities you can enjoy outdoors, where Covid risk is substantially lower. You can see and experience much of New York from just visiting the outdoors. Here are some great ideas:
PARKS, NEIGHBORHOODS & MORE
New York City is home to hundreds of parks and recreation areas like the world-famous Central Park in Manhattan or Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Parks and restrooms within the parks are now open.
Stop at one of the amazing smaller parks spread throughout the city, such as Bryant Park, Washington Square Park, and many others.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial, located precisely where the World Trade Center towers once stood. Walk around the attractive neighborhoods like Little Italy, once a large settlement of Italian immigrants and a known mobster meeting place, or Chinatown, full of restaurants and shops.
EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS
You can even walk around mid-Manhattan to admire beautiful buildings like Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, and Public Library or enjoy the one-of-a-kind outdoor areas such as Hudson Yards with its new attraction, The Vessel. New York City is also full of fantastic street art.
NYC SKYLINE
Explore DUMBO, a neighborhood in Brooklyn with amazing views of Manhattan. Or visit some of the other best views of the city. And yes, you can walk across the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge and other famous bridges with pedestrian access.
TOURS
While some tours are carried out with all the safety measures in place, another great way to discover the Big Apple is on a self-guided tour. There are even some great virtual tours that can help you prepare before you go. Check the description for links. And if you want to explore New York City by bike, some bike rental services are now open.
8. Can you party in NYC?
With social distancing requirements, nightlife and clubs are not returning to normal anytime soon. Some of the bars adapted and started, for example, cocktails to go with takeout orders, and delivery menus, and other creative ways of surviving and keeping the business operational during the pandemic.
Avoid attending the so-called “underground Manhattan parties” that have been spreading around the city.
9. What about the travel restrictions?
The rules of who can visit and under what conditions change all the time. For example, at the time of the writing, residents of multiple high-risk US states are required to self-quarantine for 14 days when arriving in New York City.
Many international travelers, such as those coming from the EU Schengen Area, citizens of the UK, China, Brazil, and some other countries, are currently completely banned from entering the United States.
But the situation changes fast, and restrictions can be lifted or even more put in place at the time when you’re watching. So be sure to check out the following links:
The situation can change only days or even hours before your arrival, so always book your accommodation, flights, or anything else with cancellation options, and if you’re coming to New York from outside the United States, get health travel insurance that covers Covid.
10. So should you travel to New York City now?
Well, it depends on many things, also how far away you are, are you are willing to take the risk of canceling your trip or part of the trip if the situation worsens.
That aside, despite it being severely hit by Coronavirus, New York City is still one of the most impressive and desirable travel destinations in the world and has a lot to offer even now.
Some activities have higher chances of exposure to Covid. Spending time in crowded spaces such as restaurants, events, riverboats, etc. can be riskier, so if you want to be on the safe side, make an itinerary where you avoid such places.
🗽 Want a complete NYC pdf guide for $6.99?
Our travel guide is a mobile-friendly .pdf document that you can store on your phone for offline use. It covers the top 10 things to do in NYC, plus 10 additional attractions, maps, links, opening hours, one, two, and three-day itinerary, and other information that will help make your trip to NYC stress-free.
IMPORTANT: The Covid-19 situation is constantly changing. We try to provide accurate information, but we cannot guarantee any of the information we provide in this article is accurate or up-to-date. The situation can change quickly. Always check with official sources before you travel.
Cover image credit: Twenty20
September 2020