New York City travel during Covid-19: What you need to know
Editor’s Note — Coronavirus cases remain high across the globe. Health officials caution that travel increases your chances of getting and spreading the virus. Staying home is the best way to stem transmission. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on October 22.
The basics
Nearly all pandemic travel restrictions were lifted in June in New York state (including New York City) as 70{3132c872e6c78dc13c400a594a399f7f701f7fca090fe22c84668d12b33a9deb} of New Yorkers 18 or older had received the first dose of their Covid-19 vaccination series.
Some of the venues of interest to travelers that are part of the requirement include restaurants, nightclubs, concert halls, museums, performing arts theaters, movie theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, casinos, cabarets, fitness centers, pools and coffee shops with indoor dining.
The mayor has endorsed CDC guidance recommending masking indoors, regardless of vaccination status, but has not issued a mask mandate.
What’s on offer
This is the ultimate city break. New York has the greatest city skyline in the world; culture from the Guggenheim to MoMA; spectacular food from Chinese delicacies in Flushing to Italian delights in the Bronx; and the green sweep of Central Park to the busy Lower East Side.
Who can go
Exemptions to current travel bans are available for US citizens, family members or permanent residents. Travel from all other countries is allowed.
What are the restrictions?
New York officials still recommend quarantine for all travelers who are not fully vaccinated or have not recovered from Covid-19 during the previous three months. Testing three to five days after arriving in New York is also recommended for these travelers.
Every air traveler entering the United States needs a negative Covid-19 test result. Passengers are required to get a viral test within three days before their flight to the US departs and to provide documentation of their lab results or documentation of having recovered from Covid-19.
What’s the Covid situation?
What can visitors expect?
Restaurants, movie theaters and other venues are open — but their indoor spaces are only open to fully vaccinated patrons. Patrons younger than 12, who are not yet eligible for vaccination, will be allowed inside with a face mask requirement except when they are eating and drinking.
The subway system continues to operate on a 24-hour basis.
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Joe Minihane, Julia Buckley, Kristina Sgueglia, Marnie Hunter and Forrest Brown have contributed to this report.
