New York City Coronavirus Resources for Safe Exploration

What to expect as activities resume in our beloved city.

With the reemergence of activities around New York City, I am sure you’re wondering what travel is like in New York City during a pandemic ? Having been home for so many months, we too have been curious and patiently waiting for the right moment to safely re-engage and support our city. We’ve had our first day out exploring Arthur Avenue, a blog post will soon follow. In order for you to make your own decision based on your comfort level, I’ve collected plenty of information provided below.

New York City started its phased reopening in early June, and is currently in Phase 4 which extends to low-risk outdoor venues, including zoos, botanical gardens, nature parks, the grounds of historical sites and cultural institutions, and outdoor museums. Indoor dining as well as museums and malls are pushed back indefinitely. During this time, the onus is on all of us to be responsible citizens in keeping our city safe which heavily relies on staying 6 feet apart as much as possible, washing and sanitizing hands as often as possible and for those who are two and above wearing a mask is required unless medically infeasible.

As the city reimagines itself, New York & Company, the city’s official destination tourism marketing organization formed a Coalition for Tourism Recovery where I’m a part of the Steering Committee ensuring people with disabilities are a part of the discussion as the city reopens. They’ve put together a comprehensive list of Guidelines Health and Safety Guidelines for Retail Shopping, Restaurants, Hotels, Attractions & Museums, Transportation & Airports. They’ve also created a Stay Well NYC Pledge, a two way commitment between businesses and their guests. Click here to be linked to a version compatible with screen-readers .

So what exactly does the new normal look like during a pandemic ?

Based on information gathered, advance booking for timed-entry reservation is required and you can expect wellness checks. Businesses are operating at reduced operating hours and amenities, and limited capacity in order to allow for social distancing. In some places there are floor markings to indicate social distancing, hand sanitizers throughout and occasionally some places have extra masks should you require one. Parties are allowed to stay together and please be mindful that young children stick to their parties.

What about people who cannot medically tolerate a mask in public ?

It's recommended to use a cloth covering or face shield. If none of these are medically tolerable, we suggest contacting the Visitors Services department for more information.

What to expect for outdoor dining ?

Restaurants across the city have taken advantage of NYC’s Open Restaurant Program which allows restaurants to expand their outdoor seating and in some cases, street closure on evenings during the weekend. Click here for more details on accessibility details .

If you’re planning a visit, it’s best to call the restaurant ahead of time to ensure accessibility, make a reservation and ask about their accessible restroom. Masks are required when not eating. A maximum of 10 people per table. Please also keep the weather in mind as the umbrellas/awning used do not necessarily keep heavy rain out. And while tables should be 6 feet apart, it's not always the case.

What to expect on public transportation ?
MTA Transportation: Trains, Buses and Access-A-Ride - Trains and buses are running on their regular schedules except trains which close from 1am-5am for deep cleaning. High-touch areas on subways, buses and Access-A-Ride vehicles are being disinfected every 24 hours.

Important to note: People with disabilities (visible and invisible) are allowed to board through the front door of the bus. Bus drivers are to secure the wheelchair/scooter. Bus fares are not currently being collected but is planned to resume in August

Access-A-Ride passengers can only travel with one additional guest until further notice. Fares are currently waived.

TLC Yellow Taxi - There is typically a partition between the front and back seat. Drivers are to secure the wheelchair. Whenever possible, passengers and drivers should leave the windows open to increase air circulation in the car.

Stay Safe!
New Yorkers, remember at all times, masks are required and stay 6 feet apart and dont forget to wash/sanitize your hands often. Let’s do our part to stop the spread while safely reengaging with our city.



This post is listed here as memories from the pandemic. Oct 2024.