The City has enacted public health social distancing restrictions to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Social distancing restrictions include:

• Keeping six feet away from others (non-family group members)
• Not engaging in team sports
• Not gathering in groups
• Non-essential businesses should be closed
• Essential businesses that are open but are not following necessary restrictions

To report a violation of the social distancing restrictions, go to the Social Distancing Complaint page.

The President, the Governor of New York, and the Mayor of New York City have declared a state of emergency to deal with the spread of the virus. This allows Federal, State, and City agencies and municipalities to take certain actions related to spending and protocols to streamline services. It does not require individual New Yorkers to take any actions.

To protect the public, encourage social distancing, and streamline services, new rules have been put in place and some existing regulations have been suspended. 

Essential Services and Workplaces

The State has issued an Executive Order that all non-essential businesses must close in-personnel functions. This order went into effect Sunday, March 22 at 8 PM. Businesses that rely on in-office workers must decrease their in-office workforce by 100%, excluding essential services.

Essential services exempt from the order include:

• Banks and related financial institutions
• Bike repair shops
• Grocery and food production
• Healthcare providers
• Laundromats
• Media
• Restaurants, bars and cafes (limited to food take-out and delivery only. These establishments will be provided a waiver for carry-out alcohol.)
• Pharmacies
• Shipping
• Taxis and car services
• Utilities
• Warehousing

Get information and guidance on essential services under the State Executive Order.

Non-essential services:

• Casinos, gyms, nightclubs, movie theaters, small theater houses, concert and entertainment venues must all close.
• Shopping malls, amusement parks, and bowling alleys must close.
• All barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing salons, nail salons, hair removal services and related personal care services closed to the public effective Saturday, March 21 at 8 PM.

If you are an employee in a non-essential industry and your employer does not permit telecommuting, go to the Labor Law page.

Construction

The Governor has ordered that all non-essential construction must shut down as of March 27, 2020. Essential and Emergency Construction may continue.

The Executive Order defines Essential Construction as work on:

• Roads
• Bridges
• Transit facilities
• Utilities
• Hospitals or health care facilities
• Affordable housing and homeless shelters

Emergency Construction is defined as:

• Projects necessary to protect the health and safety of the occupants
• Continuing a project that would be unsafe to allow to remain undone, until it is safe to shut the site.

This order doesn’t apply to work being done by a single worker or if there is only one employee or worker at a job site.

Learn more about the Executive Order.

Alternate Side Parking

Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended from Wednesday, March 25, 2020 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Parking meters and all other parking rules remain in effect throughout the City.

The City may extend the suspension based on street cleanliness and workforce availability.

Any New Yorker under isolation who has received a ticket can appeal to the Department of Finance and should provide medical documentation or testimony, which will be taken into consideration when their case is reviewed. To learn how to dispute a parking ticket, visit the Parking Ticket or Camera Violation Dispute page.

Matilda’s Law

The State has enacted Matilda’s Law to protect New Yorkers age 70 and older and those with compromised immune systems:

• Remain indoors
• Can go outside for solitary exercise
• Pre-screen all visitors by taking their temperature
• Wear a mask in the company of others
• Stay at least 6 feet from others
• Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary

Public Parks

New York City parks and playgrounds are open. All park goers are asked to take extra precautions to stay healthy and safe. Solo exercise is okay, however team sports (such as basketball, football, softball and soccer) are not permitted in parks at this time. Please maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others when outside and avoid gathering in groups.

Park restrooms are open and cleaned daily with appropriate cleaning products to ensure that they are being fully disinfected.

Ice skating rinks, amusement parks and carousels, indoor tennis facilities, souvenir shops and more are closed.

Green Thumb community gardens can remain open or closed at the discretion of each garden group. NYC Parks and Green Thumb expect that most gardens will remain closed for the short term.

International Travel

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad at this time due to the global impact of coronavirus.

As of March 11th, foreign nationals who have recently been in certain European countries are restricted from traveling to the United States. This does not apply to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Learn more about international travel restrictions and advisories.

Pool Rides in For-Hire Vehicles

To protect the safety of drivers and passengers, the City has temporarily banned pooled rides in TLC-licensed high volume (Uber, Lyft, and Via) for-hire vehicles. This ban does not apply to paratransit vehicles.

Food

SNAP (Food Stamps) helps people with limited income buy food. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores.

Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens are available for people who need emergency food assistance.

Senior Centers are providing Grab-and-Go meals. Contact the senior center about the distribution or delivery schedule and if you have any questions.

Unemployment

If you have lost your job, you can claim unemployment insurance benefits.

New York State is waiving the 7-day waiting period for unemployment insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to coronavirus closures or quarantines.

To learn more and apply for benefits, visit the Unemployment Insurance page.

Rent Arrears

As of March 16, 2020, New York State Courts temporarily suspended all eviction proceedings until further notice. You will not need to apply for rent arrears (back rent) to stop an eviction until further notice.

This means that you will be able to stay in your home during this health emergency.

Mortgages

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) issued an emergency regulation requiring that New York State regulated financial institutions provide residential mortgage forbearance on property located in New York. This will be for a period of 90 days and applies to any individual residing in New York who can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the emergency regulation.

Utility Shut-Offs

All utility companies have temporarily suspended gas, electric, and water shut-offs until further notice.

You don't need to apply for Emergency Assistance (a One-Shot-Deal) if you are unable to pay your bill.

Utility companies cannot shut off your service if your bill is unpaid, even if you received a shut-off notice that states your service will end.

HRA Clients

The Human Resources Administration (HRA) is trying to eliminate, whenever possible, the need for clients to come into their offices. Effective immediately, the number of HRA Centers and Offices open to the public has been reduced.

Please visit the following pages for important updates:

• Child Support
• Medicaid
• One Shot Deal
• Public Assistance or Welfare
• SNAP (Food Stamps)
• Home Care
• Adult Protective Services

Domestic or Gender-Based Violence

All Family Justice Centers are closed until further notice, but you can still get help with immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, and other services by phone.

Find Family Justice Center phone numbers.

The City has created the GetFoodNYC food delivery program to provide food for coronavirus (COVID-19)-vulnerable and food-insecure New Yorkers not currently served through existing food delivery programs. 

This program is available to you if you:

• Are unable to go out and get food for yourself, AND
• Do not have someone else in your household who can get food for you, AND
• Do not have a family member, friend, or neighbor who lives nearby who can get food for you, AND
• Do not receive food from Meals on Wheels, God’s Love We Deliver or a similar service, AND
• Are not able to afford food delivery from a restaurant or grocery store.

If you qualify, you should note that:

• Each household can only make 1 order per day.
• Currently, orders are not recurring. If you need additional food, you should submit a new order.
• Orders placed after 5 PM will not be delivered the next day, but will be delivered the day after.
• Each person who needs food will be given one box, which is designed to last 2 days.
• GetFoodNYC will deliver to a maximum of 3 people in each household.
• The amount of food delivered is based on the number of people in your household who need food from this service.
• GetFoodNYC will collect information about any dietary restrictions but cannot guarantee those requests can be met, based on food supply.

Financial Assistance for Small Businesses

The City will offer financial assistance to small businesses to help lessen the economic effect of the coronavirus. Businesses may qualify for low-interest loans and employee retention grants.

You can get more information and sign up for email updates at nyc.gov/SBS. Small Business Services will send you more information and application links.

Visit the Small Business Services website for loan and grant information and to sign up for email notifications.

Business Preparedness

Through New York City Emergency Management, the Public/Private Initiatives Unit has been keeping private-sector partners engaged as response to coronavirus continues to unfold and new information becomes available.

You can get information online on how to prepare your business for emergencies.

Learn about resources to support your business during an emergency.

Worker Resources

You can get information online about services and resources for workers affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

Get information about COVID-19 services and resources.

Paid Sick Leave

Under the law, covered employees have the right to use safe and sick leave for the care and treatment of themselves or a family member. To learn more, visit the Paid Safe and Sick Leave page.

Virtual Notary

An executive order by Governor Cuomo allows the temporary virtual notarization of documents that would normally have to be notarized in person.

The following are the conditions that must be met for virtual notarization:

• The person seeking the Notary’s services, if not personally known to the Notary, must present valid photo ID to the Notary during the video conference, not merely transmit it prior to or after;
• The video conference must allow for direct interaction between the person and the Notary (e.g. no pre-recorded videos of the person signing);
• The person must affirmatively represent that he or she is physically situated in the State of New York;
• The person must transmit by fax or electronic means a legible copy of the signed document directly to the Notary on the same date it was signed;
• The notary may notarize the transmitted copy of the document and transmit the same back to the person; and,
• The notary may repeat the notarization of the original signed document as of the date of execution provided the Notary receives such original signed document together with the electronically notarized copy within thirty days after the date of execution.

City Clerk

All NYC City Clerk offices are closed until further notice.

Courts

Most New York State courthouses remain open so judges and staff can continue to perform certain essential functions. Other functions and types of proceedings have been postponed. 

Get information about courts during the coronavirus outbreak. 

If you need contact information, visit the Court page.

Effective March 20, the Governor announced that all residential and commercial evictions are suspended for 90 days. For more information, go to the Housing Court for Tenants and Landlords page.

DOT Permits and Customer Service 

The Department of Transportation Permits and Customer Service window at 30-30 Thomson Avenue, in Long Island City, Queens is closed until further notice. To learn more about permit service changes, visit the following pages:

• City Parking Permit for People with Disabilities
• Parking Permit

Day Care Centers

For information about day care center closures, contact your child care provider directly.

Fair Fares Offices

All Fair Fares offices are closed until further notice, but you can still apply for the program online. Learn more on the Fair Fares NYC page.

Health Clinics

• All Sexual Health Clinics are closed until further notice.
• All immunization testing services are suspended at all clinics.
• All tuberculosis clinics are closed, except for the Fort Greene Chest Center.

IDNYC Locations

All IDNYC sites are closed until further notice. If you scheduled an appointment, IDNYC will contact you to let you know it will be rescheduled when appointments are available again.

Jury Duty

If you have been summoned for NY State jury duty, beginning on March 16th do not appear at the courthouse until further notice. Your service has been suspended at this time. You will be contacted in the future with another date for service.

If you are a juror currently serving on a criminal trial, on a grand jury or on a civil trial where opening statements have been made you are required to appear to continue your service.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

All DMV offices are closed until further notice. To learn more, go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page.

Public Libraries

All branches of the City's library system are closed until further notice.

Senior Centers

All Senior Center programs are cancelled until further notice. Senior Centers are only open for grab-and-go meals. Contact the Senior Center for more information about timing and any accommodations for delivery.

Social Security Offices

All local Social Security offices are closed to the public for in-person service. Local offices will continue to provide critical services over the phone. Online services are also available. Get Social Security information and assistance.

Child Care

Child care is available for health care providers, first responders, key transit workers, and other personnel who are critical to the COVID-19 response effort in New York City.

Child care is also available for essential staff of:

• Grocery stores
• Pharmacies
• Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry
• Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Department of Environmental Protection
• Department of Probation

At Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs), Department of Education staff provide children meals, remote learning, and activities to allow frontline workers to continue to serve the City during this health emergency. REC locations include early childcare centers and K–12 sites and will be available in every school district.

If you think you may be eligible to send your child to a REC, please complete the online survey.

Learn more about RECs and complete the survey.

Parking Permits

The City is issuing Citywide on-street parking permits to healthcare personnel working in hospitals in New York City. Permits will be distributed directly by each hospital to eligible employees. Healthcare workers should reach out to their hospital administrators directly for more information on how to obtain a parking permit.

Public Schools

All public schools, including 3-K and pre-K programs, closed on Monday, March 16th and are scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 20th.

Get the latest information about coronavirus in public schools.

Download COVID-19 information and guidance for NYC schools and families.

Submit a comment to the Mayor about public school closure policy.

Remote Learning

Remote learning began on March 23rd. To help students stay connected during emergencies, the Department of Education (DOE)  is lending internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning for students.

To request a device for an NYC student in your family, please fill out the request form. The DOE will use the contact information you provide to get in touch with you to discuss when and where you can pick up a device.

Priority will be given to students most in need. All devices are granted on a temporary basis and will later need to be returned. There is a limit of one device per student.

Request a remote learning device for an NYC student.

Get Learn-at-Home materials.

New York State Student Assessment Testing

New York State exams have been cancelled for the 2019-2020 school year, with the exception of Regents exams. There is no timeframe for an announcement on if Regents exams will be cancelled. For more information, go to the School Testing page.

Bus Boarding

To keep a safe distance between riders and drivers during the coronavirus outbreak, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) is temporarily changing their procedures on how customers use their buses.

Beginning on Monday, March 23:

• Local bus and Select Bus Service (SBS) customers will board and exit using the rear doors. You must still pay the fare if on-board payment boxes or SBS off-board ticket machines continue to be accessible.
• Express bus customers will board and pay as normal, but will not be permitted to sit in the first three rows of the bus
• ADA customers will still be permitted to board at the front of all local and SBS buses and board as usual on express buses.

Learn more about the new policy.

MTA Cleaning

Trains, stations, and buses are normally cleaned every day and sanitized as needed. The MTA is increasing the frequency and intensity of their procedures and are sanitizing high-touch surfaces more often.

These surfaces include:

• Poles
• Handrails
• Seats
• Benches
• Grab bar

MTA cleaners will be working on this every day, with the full fleet being covered every 72 hours. MTA is using CDC-endorsed cleaners.

Street Closures

To give pedestrians more space for social distancing, the City is closing four streets to cars and other vehicles daily from 10 AM to 7 PM: 

• Bronx: Grand Concourse between East Burnside Avenue and 184th Street in Fordham Heights
• Brooklyn: Bushwick Avenue from Johnson Avenue to Flushing Avenue in Williamsburg
• Manhattan: Park Avenue between East 28th and East 34th streets in Midtown
• Queens: 34th Avenue from 73rd Street to 80th Street in Jackson Heights