CORONAVIRUS Updates - New York City
Testing
- New York State has greatly expanded testing capacity, meaning any New Yorker statewide can get a coronavirus test. To learn more or find a testing site near you, visit: coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing.
Education
- All schools are closed for in-person learning until further notice. Remote instruction will continue for all students. (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/coronavirus-update)
- All New Yorkers are being offered three free Grab-and-Go meals Monday through Friday at 400 locations across the city through December 31. Meals are available for children and families from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and for adults from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. No one will be turned away and registration or ID are not required (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food/free-meals; https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2020/08/31/usda-extends-free-meals-kids-through-december-31-2020#:~:text=During%20the%20COVID%2D19%20pandemic,financially%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Secretary%20Perdue.). To find a free meal pickup location closest to you, visit opt-osfns.org/schoolfoodny/meals/default.aspx or text “NYCFOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877.
- Approximately 100 regional enrichment centers have opened across all five boroughs for children in grades 3K-12 who need somewhere to be while their parents work. (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/regional-enrichment-centers/rec-parent-overview)
- School districts can provide in-person special education services and instructing during the summer term. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20237-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency-0)
- All New York City playgrounds and parks are open. Fields and courts are also open. (https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/health-and-safety-guide/coronavirus)
Changes to Day-to-Day Life
- New York City is in Phase 4 of reopening. The NY Forward Business Reopen Lookup Tool allows you to see whether a business is eligible to reopen: www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/nyforward.
- To see which categories of businesses will be allowed to resume service as the reopening process progresses, visit: forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20231-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency)
- During Phase 4, the following categories of businesses can resume operations:
- Low-Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment
- Media Production
- Professional Sports Competitions With No Fans
- Starting Dec. 14, indoor dining at restaurants and bars is suspended, but outdoor dining, takeout and delivery can continue to operate. (https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2020/12/11/cuomo--indoor-dining-to-be-suspended-starting-monday)
- Starting Nov. 13, bars, restaurants, gyms and fitness centers are required to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily, and indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-restaurants-bars-other-sla-licensed-entities-must-close-person-service)
- Starting Sept. 2, all gyms and fitness centers statewide can reopen at 33% capacity. Additional health and safety protocols are in effect and patrons must wear face masks at all times. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-gyms-and-fitness-centers-can-reopen-starting-august-24)
- Agritourism businesses – such as apple orchards, pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms – can reopen, as long as they adhere to social distancing and face mask protocols and limit customers to 33% of maximum occupancy for outdoor activities and 25% of maximum occupancy for indoor activities. (https://agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/09/agritourismfaq.pdf)
- At this time, petting zoos are not permitted, but animal exhibits can now reopen so long as they adhere to state safety guidelines. (https://agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/09/agritourismfaq.pdf)
- Restaurants and bars can now provide outdoor dining. Tables must be spaced 6 feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings and customers must wear face coverings when not seated. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-outdoor-dining-restaurants-will-be-permitted-phase-two-reopening)
- To ensure food establishments are complying with COVID-19 protocols, restaurants and bars can only serve alcohol to patrons who are ordering and eating food. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-new-regulations-bars-and-restaurants-ensure-compliance-state-social)
- Houses of worship can operate with a 33% occupancy limit as long as social distancing and other safety measures are in place. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/ReligiousandFuneralServicesSummaryGuidance.pdf)
- Nursing homes and long-term care facilities can begin to allow visitors for compassionate care situations. The facilities can only allow visitors if they’ve reported no new COVID-19 cases in 28 days, limit visits to a maximum of two guests at a time, restrict visitation to 10% of residents at one time and pre-screen all visitors. (https://www.health.ny.gov/press/releases/2020/2020-07-10_resumption_of_limited_nh_visitation.htm#:~:text=(July%2010%2C%202020)%20%2D,the%20federal%20Centers%20for%20Medicare%20%26)
- Medical schools statewide can open to prepare for new students in the summer and fall, as long as they take appropriate safety precautions. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-governor-cuomo-announces-state-expanding-covid-19-testing)
- Summer day camps can now open. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-governor-cuomo-responds-escalating-violence-and-looting-amid)
- Retail stores can offer in-store service as long as they reduce maximum store capacity by 50% and require face coverings for customers and customer-facing employees. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/GeneralRetailSummaryGuidance.pdf)
- To help protect at-risk individuals and essential workers from exposure to COVID-19, New Yorkers need to wear masks or face coverings in public when social distancing isn’t possible. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20217-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency)
- Businesses have the right to deny entry or service to individuals who aren’t wearing masks. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20234-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency)
- Dentist offices may now open for non-emergency services, as long as they adhere to state safety regulations. For a complete list of state guidelines, visit: www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/DentistryMasterGuidance.pdf
- To increase social distancing, movie theaters remain closed. (www.governor.ny.gov/news/amid-covid-19-pandemic-governor-cuomo-governor-murphy-governor-lamont-and-governor-wolf-direct)
- Starting September 9, casinos can reopen at 25% capacity as long as the facility has enhanced air filtration and ventilation systems and requires all visitors to wear masks, except when eating or drinking. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-casinos-allowed-reopen-limited-capacity-next-week)
- Major pharmacy chains in New York State have agreed to offer free home delivery. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/amid-ongoing-covid-19-pandemic-governor-cuomo-announces-nys-pause-functions-extended-next-two)
- State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices in the five boroughs can now process registrations and other transactions by mail, as well as through secure drop boxes located at each office. Limited in-person transactions, by reservation only, and road tests have also resumed at certain offices. (https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/dmv-reopening-guidance)
- Garage sales are now permitted statewide, as long as people maintain social distancing, wear face masks and adhere to a 10-person limit. (https://twitter.com/LtGovHochulNY/status/1271057092019798017)
- Low-risk youth sports – which includes baseball, cross country, crew, field hockey, gymnastics and softball – are allowed as long as spectators are limited to two per child. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-low-risk-youth-sports-regions-phase-three-can-begin-july-6th)
- Hospitals and group homes statewide can allow visitors at their discretion. Facilities that allow visitation must adhere to state guidelines, including temperature checks for all visitors. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-governor-cuomo-announces-us-open-be-held-without-fans-august)
Financial Relief
- State debt collection on student debt and medical debt will have payments frozen through at least Dec. 31. (https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2020/attorney-general-james-and-governor-cuomo-renew-suspension-state-debt-0)
- The federal government has also suspended federal student loan payments and is waiving interest through Dec. 31, 2020. (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-student-loans-and-coronavirus-pandemic/)
- New laws protect homeowners and tenants by:
- requiring New York regulated institutions to grant 90 days of forbearance to residential mortgagors who can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (Ch. 112 of 2020)
- prohibiting courts from issuing a warrant of eviction or judgment of possession against a residential tenant who suffered financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic for the nonpayment of rent (Ch. 127 of 2020)
- The state has extended the moratorium on commercial evictions through January 1. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-signs-executive-order-extending-moratorium-covid-related-commercial-evictions-0)
- New state law allows for sick leave and benefits to quarantined/isolated workers. (nyassembly.gov/Press/files/20200318a.php)
- It also eliminates the one-week waiting period for UI claims for workers directly affected by COVID-19. To file a claim, visit labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm and follow the on-site instructions.
(labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm) - NY State of Health is offering a special open enrollment through Sept. 15. (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/part-new-yorks-ongoing-response-covid-19-pandemic-governor-cuomo-announces-special-enrollment)
- Residential streets subject to Alternate Side Parking (ASP) regulations will now only be cleaned once a week. Streets that have multiple ASP days will now only be cleaned on the later day of the week, meaning residents only have to move their cars once a week. (https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01011)
- New York State is aware of multiple scams related to the coronavirus. To file a complaint or learn more, visit https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1.
Check with your local grocery store about limited hours and/or special hours for seniors to shop.
For updates and more information, visit the New York State Department of Health website at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home or call 888-364-3065.
Additional information can be found in multiple languages at www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page.
Sign up for email updates from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/whats-new-all.html