Travel to New York City during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go

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 March 10.

(CNN) — If you’re planning to travel to New York City, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The basics

New York City was the US epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, with hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of patients.

After an easier summer, it experienced a rise of infections at the end of 2020 into January and new lockdown measures were imposed. Those numbers have been dropping in recent weeks, though researchers have reported a disturbing new variant of the coronavirus in the city.

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

New York is subject to US government rules, meaning travel from Brazil, China, the European Schengen Area, Iran, Ireland, South Africa and the United Kingdom is not permitted. Exemptions are available for US citizens, family members or permanent residents. Travel from all other countries is allowed.

All air travelers entering the United States are now required to have a negative Covid-19 test result.

Travelers from out of state are allowed into New York State, but must undertake a Covid-19 PCR test within three days before arrival, then self-isolate for three days, and take another test. Those who choose not to take tests must quarantine for 14 days. Those from states contiguous to New York are exempt from the testing regime but must fill out this form.

On Wednesday, March 3, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that US visitors from other states who have been fully vaccinated within the past 90 days would no longer have to test and quarantine.

What are the restrictions?

New York City has stringent measures for those traveling both domestically and internationally. Those from contiguous states are not subject to testing or quarantine restrictions, but travelers from all other US states must undertake a PCR test within three days before arrival, then self-isolate for three days, before taking another test. Travelers fully vaccinated within the past 90 days can bypass these requirements.

And as of January 26, every air traveler entering the US 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.

All those staying in hotels and short-term rentals in New York must complete a Traveler Health Form before their arrival.

Travelers who leave New York State to a noncontiguous state for less than 24 hours do not have to take a test before returning. However, they must fill out a traveler health form and take a test four days after their return.

What’s the Covid situation?

After months of falling daily cases in New York City, the number of infections started to climb again in the autumn of 2020, with a record high in early January before starting to decline again. Nearly 30,000 total confirmed and probable deaths, and 762,000 total confirmed or probable cases, were registered as of March 10.

What can visitors expect?

New York’s busy streets fell quiet at the start of the pandemic and recovery has been slow in the months since, although many areas, including Brooklyn, are busy again.

Cuomo’s March 3 announcement loosens gathering restrictions in the state and city in coming weeks.

Starting March 22, capacity for outdoor gatherings will increase from 10 people to 25 people. The limit for indoor gatherings will remain at 10 people.

For social gatherings in public spaces, capacity limits for indoor events will increase from 50 people to 100 people and outdoor event capacity will go from 50 people to 200 people.

The governor said social distancing and mask requirements remain for gatherings.

Starting April 2, venues for events, arts and entertainment will be allowed to reopen at 33% capacity, capped at 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors. If there’s attendee testing, capacity will increase to 150 people indoors and 500 people outdoors — with distancing and face covering requirements.

Outdoor dining continues, with restaurants and bars building ad hoc structures. Tent enclosures and heating are being used over the winter. Bars and restaurants must close at 11 p.m.

Museums are open, but have started mandating timed reservations, in a bid to comply with lower capacity rules. MoMA, the Museum of Natural History and the Whitney are all operating a policy of prebought tickets only. Visitors should expect temperature checks on arrival.

Nonessential retail is open. Masks are mandatory in public, however, and social distancing guidelines must be adhered to at all times.

Useful links

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Want to eat great Indian food? You’ll find it across the water in New Jersey. Or salivate over New York cheesecake in our list of the world’s best desserts.

Joe Minihane, Julia Buckley, Marnie Hunter and Forrest Brown contributed to this report

source: cnn.com