Coronavirus (Covid-19) Information and Resources

NYC Update — May 26

The tourism industry is facing major changes this year in light of the coronavirus. But as New York City and regions across New York State show promising signs of recovery, NYC & Company is planning for a safe, responsible citywide comeback that will reinvigorate business, reinspire visitation and reconnect us all with the five boroughs. Check this page regularly as we will continue to update it with the latest information and official guidance.

The Road to Reopening

On May 13, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced New York Forward, a phased plan to help the state safely reopen businesses and ease social distancing. Restrictions will be loosened by region based on seven key metrics of success. To view New York City’s progress, see the state’s Monitoring Dashboard.

Once a region has met the necessary metrics, businesses and organizations will be allowed to reopen in phases, starting with industries like construction, manufacturing and retailers offering curbside or in-store pickup  or drop off, and ending with arts, entertainment, recreation and education. Each region must maintain at least two weeks in between each phase. In order, these phases are as follows:

Phase 1
Construction
Manufacturing
Retail - curbside or in-store pickup or drop off
Wholesale trade
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Phase 2
Professional services
Retail
Administrative support
Real estate and rental and leasing

Phase 3
Restaurants / food services

Phase 4
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Education

For more details, visit forward.ny.gov.

In the interim, NYC’s nonessential businesses continue to keep their workforces at home, and all nonessential gatherings remain temporarily banned. Public schools in the five boroughs are closed through the end of the academic year. NYC subway service is suspended nightly from 1am to 5am to disinfect trains and stations. For more information, including tips on how to help local businesses, visit our Support NYC page.

What to Know Now

NYC beaches are closed for swimming until further notice. Walking, running, exercising and access to the sand and boardwalk are still permitted during regular park hours. For more information about visiting beaches across the five boroughs, please see this fact sheet.  

Governor Cuomo has ordered New York State residents to wear face coverings in public whenever maintaining social distance is not possible. This aligns with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s guidance recommending that New Yorkers wear face coverings when leaving their homes.

To facilitate social distancing in the City, the Mayor has announced 40 miles of street closures, sidewalk widening and additional bike lanes, with the goal of expanding to 100 miles in order to increase public space and serve the hardest-hit communities.

The Coalition for NYC Hospitality & Tourism

NYC & Company, New York City's official destination management organization and convention and visitors bureau, has also announced The Coalition for NYC Hospitality & Tourism Recovery. In accordance with government officials, informed by medical expertise, and guided by new social distancing protocols and the technologies that facilitate them, our Coalition will:

• design citywide marketing and advertising programs to drive renewed engagement
• shape industry advocacy initiatives to inform funding and policy making
• advance public information campaigns to share facts, updates and opportunities

We recommend visitors consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local public health authorities for official information. Further, we recommend that visitors follow the CDC’s list of safety guidelines, including:

Health and Safety Tips

• Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 to 95 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid contact with sick people or anyone who has knowingly been exposed to a sick person..

For more information, visit nycgo.com/recovery.

Tool Kit

• The CDC offers this summary regarding Covid-19, including the CDC’s ongoing response, recommendations and resources.
• New York State’s coronavirus information site features up-to-date information, including the latest rules and restrictions from Governor Cuomo.
• New York City’s Department of Health is monitoring the situation and providing live, daily updates on the situation as it relates to our city.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) website features tips, advice, reports, research and more.
• The U.S. Travel Association (USTA) has produced Travel in the New Normal, which offers new industry recommendations for protecting the health of travelers.
• The USTA has also produced a comprehensive tool kit, including a guide to communicating healthy travel practices, media talking points and current facts.
• The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has summarized resources and information for business events professionals here.
• Meetings Mean Business (MMB) offers this page of coronavirus resources, including talking points and template media materials.
• Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has released an official statement, which includes tools for industry professionals.
• International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has released this official statement.

Contact Info

For questions regarding the travel trade, contact traveltrade@nycgo.com. For questions concerning meetings and conventions, contact conventionsales@nycgo.com.