COVID-19: Guidance for Businesses and Schools
NYC has begun its phased RESTART. Below are the most up-to-date guidance and requirements for NYC businesses that have reopened or will do so soon.
Remember, even when you reopen your worksite, the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect employees is to continue allowing them to work from home as much as possible.
Recent Guidance
School and Business Restrictions
Due to recent increases in COVID-19 cases in certain neighborhoods, schools and businesses in those neighborhoods must temporarily close or have limited in-person services. Areas of the city have been designated as Red, Orange or Yellow zones based on their number of cases, and each type of zone has different restrictions.
Learn more below about what these restrictions mean and whether your facility is located in a zone of concern.
- What You Need to Know About NYC's Localized Restrictions (PDF, November 19)
- Red, Orange and Yellow Zone Restrictions by Facility Type (PDF, November 24)
- Information for Nonpublic and Charter Schools: New York State Cluster Action Initiative Testing Requirements (PDF, November 25)
- COVID-19 Zone Finder
Learn about additional requirements for all nonpublic and charter schools in NYC.
- Additional Requirements for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Nonpublic and Charter Schools (PDF, November 6)
- Commissioner's Order to Require Schools to Meet COVID-19 Health and Safety Requirements (PDF, November 5)
- Commissioner's Letter About COVID-19 Requirements for Schools (PDF, November 6)
New Restaurant and Gym Restrictions
Starting Friday, November 13, bars, restaurants, gyms and fitness centers are required to be closed daily from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. This restriction also applies to any State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment.
Restaurants may still provide curbside pick-up or delivery of food orders after 10 p.m., but they cannot take alcohol orders. The State Liquor Authority will issue further guidance for licensees.
- NYS Press Release on New Restaurant and Gym Restrictions
- Restaurants and Food Services Guidance
- Gyms and Indoor Pools Guidance
Reopening Health Guidance and Rules
General FAQs for Employers and Employees
- Information for Employers on NYC's COVID-19 Testing Recommendations (PDF, October 14)
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- Handling COVID-19 Cases in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know (PDF, September 4)
- Posters for Reopening Offices
- New York State: NY Forward: Reopening New York
- NYC Worker Rights During COVID-19
- General Cleaning/Disinfection Guidance for Non-Health Care Settings (PDF, June 26)
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For any information not provided here about NYC's reopening, email nycnyf@esd.ny.gov.
Schools, Child Care, Camp and Higher Education
Schools
When they are permitted to open, prekindergarten to grade 12 schools must follow New York State requirements for in-person instruction.
- Checklist for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools (PDF, November 17)
- What Prekindergarten (Pre-K) to Grade 12 Schools Need to Know About In-Person Instruction (PDF, August 27)
- 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, November 25)
- PowerPoint Presentation: COVID-19 and School Reopening (PDF, September 18)
- Sample Letters for Close Contact to a Case and for Child Not Exposed to Case (PDF)
- Sample Letter for Class/Cohort and Close Contacts of Case Identified by School Before NYC Health Department (PDF)
Child Care
If you operate a child care program, learn more about what you need to know before reopening.
- Child Care Program FAQs (PDF, October 2)
- Child Care Programs and COVID-19: What Parents and Guardians Need to Know (PDF, September 19)
- Daily Health Screening and Handling a Case of COVID-19 in Child Care (PDF, August 27)
- Checklist for Child Care Program Guidelines (PDF, July 23)
Camp
Higher Education
- Higher Education (PDF, August 13)
- Managing Cases of COVID-19 at New York City Colleges and Universities: What Higher Education Institutions Need to Know (PDF, August 12)
Gyms and Indoor Pools
Gyms
Gyms can reopen once the owner has:
- Submitted a Gym and Fitness Facility Inspection Request and Attestation Online Form to the NYC Health Department.
- Submitted a Business Affirmation Form to New York State.
- Prepared a Safety Plan (PDF) to be kept on site.
By completing these forms, a facility is affirming it has met COVID-19-related New York State requirements and is ready for inspection.
Indoor fitness classes will remain closed in New York City until further notice. Health and safety remain the number one priority as the City reopens.
Resources for Gyms
- Reopening Gyms and Fitness Facilities: What Operators Need to Know (PDF, October 29)
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- Summary of Guidance (PDF)
- Gym and Fitness Facility Inspection Request and Attestation Printable Form (PDF): Use this as a guide to help you prepare for the online form.
Indoor Pools
As of September 30, indoor pools in the city can reopen. Spa pools, saunas and steam rooms must remain closed.
- Guidance for Pool Operators (PDF, September 18)
Restaurants and Food Services
- Checklist for Food Service Establishments Offering Indoor Food Service (PDF, September 27)
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- Employer Contact Log: Employee-Vendor Template (PDF, September 27)
- Employer Contact Log: Customer Template (PDF, September 27)
- Indoor Dining at Food Service Establishments: Air Filtration and Ventilation System Form (PDF, September 25)
- Avoid Common Violations of COVID-19 Restaurant Requirements (PDF, September 29)
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- Outdoor and Take-Out and Delivery Food Services (PDF, August 17)
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- Checklist for Restaurants Offering Takeout, Delivery and Outdoor Dining (PDF, June 21)
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- Open Restaurants Accessibility Requirements (PDF)
As of September 30, restaurants and other food service establishments in New York City can reopen for indoor dining.
Learn about the steps you must take before reopening:
You can download COVID-19 posters and flyers for food service establishments, or call 311 to order printed versions.
Arts and Entertainment
- Low-Risk Indoor Arts and Entertainment (PDF, August 20)
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Retail
- Malls (PDF, September 10)
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Personal Care Services
- Personal Care Services (PDF, August 19)
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Commercial Offices
- Commercial Building Management (PDF, August 17)
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Construction
Real Estate and Property Management
- Reopening NYC: What Residential Property Managers Need to Know (PDF, August 19)
- Guidance for Congregate Residential Settings (PDF, October 9)
- Real Estate Services (PDF, August 17)
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Vehicle Sales/Leasing/Rentals and Operators
- Vehicles Sales, Lease and Rental Companies (PDF, August 17)
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Media Production
- Media Production (PDF, August 19)
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Manufacturing and Wholesale Trade
- Manufacturing Businesses (PDF, August 19)
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Religious and Funeral Services
RESTART Tools for Businesses
The following resources can help businesses meet the State's requirements to reopen.
- COVID-19 Employer Health Screen Review Documentation Template (PDF, June 24): A sample of how businesses can document their daily health screening assessments.
- Cleaning and Disinfection Log Template (PDF, June 14): A sample log of how businesses can show they are complying with the requirement to clean and disinfect daily.
- New York Forward Business Reopening Lookup Wizard: A guided tool to help businesses determine if they are eligible to reopen.
- EPA: COVID-19 Disinfectants: Search the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of approved products for disinfection.