COVID-19: Reopening Businesses and Schools

Most businesses and schools are now allowed to be open in New York City. Employers, administrators and other responsible parties must review, attest to and comply with New York State’s industry-specific guidance.

Before opening, all businesses must:

1. Submit a business affirmation form to affirm compliance with New York State guidance.
2. Create a safety plan.
   • Safety Plan Template

In addition, the following businesses must complete an online reopening plan form before reopening:

• Indoor family entertainment centers and places of amusement (PDF)
• Outdoor amusement parks (PDF)
• Professional sports competition venues with fans (PDF)

Pre-K to grade 12 schools that want to change their reopening plan must submit their modified plan online.

Requirements for Scheduled Events

For the types of scheduled events listed below, venue operators must complete an online notification form at least five days before the event:

• In-person end-of-academic-year celebrations (PDF) indoors with more than 100 attendees, and outdoor celebrations with more than 200 attendees. Commencements and graduations can now occur. Social gatherings, such as proms and balls, can occur beginning June 1. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, try to keep in-person events as small as possible and hold them outdoors. Consider holding multiple smaller events instead of one large event. By keeping events small, participants also do not need to present proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test result or proof of full vaccination. Participants must follow all risk reduction measures in the NYS guidelines.


• In-person and catered events (PDF) indoors with more than 250 attendees, and outdoor events with more than 500 attendees


• Professional sports events (PDF) indoors with 1,500 to 9,999 attendees, and outdoor events with 2,500 to 9,999 attendees


• Small- and medium-scale performing arts and entertainment events (PDF) indoors with more than 100 attendees, and outdoor events with more than 200 attendees


• Large-scale performing arts and entertainment events (PDF) in venues with an indoor or outdoor capacity of 10,000 or more attendees

COVID-19 Cases at the Workplace

In addition to following the required State guidelines, employers should know how to handle cases of COVID-19 in the workplace:

• Handling COVID-19 Cases in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know (PDF, April 29)
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The best way to avoid cases at the workplace is to get vaccinated. Make an appointment online, or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692). Most City-run sites are now also offering walk-up vaccinations for New Yorkers.

Restaurants and Food Services

Restaurants and other food service establishments in New York City can offer indoor dining at 50% of maximum capacity. Establishments may also still offer outdoor dining, pick-up and delivery. Restaurants may stay open until midnight, and catered events can be held until 1 a.m.

• Download COVID-19 posters and flyers for food service establishments, or call 311 to order printed versions.
• Indoor Dining at Food Service Establishments: Air Filtration and Ventilation System Form (PDF, September 25, 2020)

Schools, Child Care and Camp

Schools

• Daily Health Screening and Handling a Case of COVID-19 in Nonpublic Prekindergarten (Pre-K) to Grade 12 Schools: What School Administrators Need to Know (PDF, May 28)
• Sample Letters for Close Contact to a Case and for Child Not Exposed to Case (PDF)

Pre-K to grade 12 schools that want to change their reopening plan must submit their modified plan online.

For information about NYC public schools' reopening plans, visit the NYC Department of Education.

Child Care and Camp

For information on the requirements for operating a child care program, visit Child Care — Information for Operators.

For information on the requirements for operating a summer camp, visit Camp Operators/Directors Information

Amateur Sports

Outdoor competitive play for high-risk sports, as defined by New York State, can resume. This includes competitive team practices, games, scrimmages, meets, matches and tournaments.

Competitive play for low- and moderate-risk sports, as defined by New York State, is also permitted.

The Public School Athletic League is phasing in strength and conditioning training. Competitions can be held.

• Competitive Sports in New York City: What Organizers Need to Know (PDF, May 28)

Gyms, Pools and Beaches

In addition to complying with New York State business requirements, gym owners and operators must submit a Gym and Fitness Facility Inspection Request and Attestation Form.

For information about the requirements for operating pools, visit Pools, Spas and Spray Grounds — Information for Operators.

For information about the requirements for operating beaches, visit Beaches — Information for Operators

Additional Resources