Coronavirus Information and Resources

NYC Updates

On May 16, 2022, as the City reached a “high” alert phase for Covid-19 transmission rates, the NYC health commissioner issued an advisory that high-quality (KN-95 or other medical grade) masks should be worn in indoor public settings. While short of a mandate, the recommendations represent the best-known way, along with vaccinations, boosters and common-sense precautions among those most at risk, to reduce the risk of transmission.

This comes a few months after the mask mandate had been lifted in New York. Governor Hochul announced that beginning February 10, 2022, mask wearing will no longer be mandated by the state in indoor public places, and that schools, as of March 2, no longer require masking. Mayor Adams followed by lifting the mask mandate for schools as of March 7 and suspending the Key to NYC initiative—which required patrons ages 5 and older to show proof of vaccination for indoor activities at restaurants, bars, gyms, cultural venues and entertainment facilities. Individual businesses may, however, continue to require masks and proof of vaccination at their own discretion. As well, the lifting of the mandate does not extend to public transit and transit-related spaces, including the subway, airports and bus and train stations. For more information, visit ny.gov. Also, testing protocols for incoming international travelers were tightened in recent months. See the “International Travel” section below for details.

Vaccinations

In December 2021, City Hall announced a vaccine mandate for all private employers in New York City. This went into effect December 27: employees who work in person must have one dose of the vaccine and follow that with a second dose within 45 days. The recent changes by the Governor and Mayor do not affect this requirement. Those who work remotely will not be required to get the vaccine.

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control recommend that everyone 18 and older get a booster shot five months after receiving a two-course dose of the Moderna vaccine and two months after receiving a single dose of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine; if you received the Pfizer vaccine, a booster is recommended for everyone 12 and older. A second booster is also recommended for adults 50 and over; it should be at least four months after the first booster and should be an mRNA (Moderna or Pfizer) vaccine. For more information, visit cdc.gov.

How to Get Vaccinated

Covid-19 vaccines are available in NYC to all US residents who are 5 and older, including domestic visitors to the five boroughs. Those who are ages 5 through 17 are only eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is a two-dose regimen with at least 21 days between shots.

There are many ways to get vaccinated:

• New York City offers this comprehensive vaccine-finder tool, updated on a rolling basis, which includes links to local vaccination centers and pharmacies.
• You may call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) to schedule an appointment and for more information.
• A number of sites across the five boroughs are now offering walk-up appointments. You can see these here.
• New York State operates vaccination centers across the City, including those at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens and Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. Book appointments here.
• See other appointments nationwide with the CDC’s vaccine-finder tool.

To allow visitors access to the vaccine, the City operates a limited number of pop-up vaccination hubs in areas around the five boroughs, including near movie theaters, libraries and transit stops; locations may change from week to week. For a list of walk-up sites and for more information, visit nyc.gov.