Traveling to NYC During Covid-19: Is Quarantine Required? Should I Travel to NYC during Covid?
All the info you need to know if you wanna travel to NYC during Covid-19 Pandemic. Find out all the NY protocols you must follow, current travel restrictions, countries currently prohibited to enter the United States, and the pros and cons of traveling to New York during the Covid-19 pandemic.
MANDATORY FOR ALL TRAVELERS: Fill Out the NY Travel Health Form
All travelers are NOT required anymore to fill the NY Travel Health Form as of June 25, 2021.
NYC Travel Restrictions: Do you have to Quarantine? Is a Covid Test Required?
These are the Covid Guidelines you must follow if you come to NY!
All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States. More info here.
People who are NOT fully vaccinated are required to get another covid test 3-5 days after travel and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel even if you tested negative! More info here.
For updates about the NY COVID-19 Travel Advisory click here.
Who Must Follow the NY Covid-19 Travel Advisory Guidelines: What Countries and What U.S. States?
What Countries are Prohibited to Enter the United States due to Covid-19?
CLICK HERE to check the list of countries that are temporarily prohibited to enter the United States due to Covid. The info is on the right. This applies to foreign nationals.
Where to do a COVID TEST in NYC? Is it Free?
CLICK HERE to find all the places where you can take a COVID TEST in NYC. You can type “New York City” if you will be staying in Manhattan or the zip code of the place where you’ll be to find a place near you.
The COVID Test is FREE but some places may charge a fee so ask before going!
Urgent Care Facilities in NYC
For your info, a popular URGENT CARE place in NYC is called: CityMD and they are all around the city! You can search for a CityMD near you here or type on Google Maps: CityMD and see all the locations around the city there.
- The Covid Test at CityMD is FREE for everyone (even foreign travelers!). But sometimes it can take up to 5 days to get the result!
- You don’t need to make an appointment to take a COVID TEST at CityMD. Walk-in only at all locations.
- Info about how is the Covid-19 testing and how long it takes here.
NYC Touristic Attractions During Covid: Is Everything Open?
Broadway Shows
Broadway Shows have been suspended until September 2021.
If it’s a must for you to see a Broadway show when you come to NYC then it’s probably better if you wait until they open up again. It’s uncertain if they will definitely be back in mid-September 2021 depending on if we have a spike in cases or how the situation is at the moment.
Observatories, Statue of Liberty, Museums, etc.
The rest of the touristic attractions in NYC such as museums, tour to the Statue of Liberty, and top 3 NYC observatories (Top of the Rock, The Empire State Building and One World Observatory) are open.
Are NYC Restaurants & Bars Open?
Restaurants & Bars are open in NYC with full capacity: Indoor & outdoor!
Delivery and pick-up are open as usual.
Is NYC Currently Safe?
NYC is a bit unsafer than before the pandemic but is still pretty safe! There are a lot more homeless on the streets than before. The city, especially the Midtown area feels more empty at night. So my advice would be NOT to stay in Times Square / Penn Station area (Midtown) because there are fewer tourists, many shops in that area remain closed & it feels more isolated… But you can still visit the area during the day! I just wouldn’t recommend booking a hotel or Airbnb in that area right now. I would recommend staying in Soho or Battery Park, Tribeca, West Village… Maybe Chelsea, closer to Union Square.
You can move around the city walking if you prefer not to take the subway (if you stay in Soho or close to Union Square you can definitely walk to many areas since you’re more “in the middle” of everything) or you can also move around by bike! Using the Citi Bikes.
A good area to stay may probably be Soho because you can walk all the way to Financial District (just a 20′ walk) and you are close to Midtown if you wanna walk (probably 30-40′ walk) or even ride a bike! There are also lots of great restaurants nearby (West Village is really close, Tribeca, Hudson Square, Soho itself, East Village) where many locals go so it won’t feel “empty” or “isolated” like Times Square area right now at night.
PROS TO TRAVEL TO NYC DURING COVID-19
The good thing about traveling to NYC during the Covid-19 Pandemic is that you have the city more for yourself! Since there are many fewer people, fewer tourists, and the city feels more empty compared to non-pandemic times, you won’t face big crowds.
HOPE THIS INFO WAS HELPFUL! Stay healthy!
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