Governor Andrew Cuomo providing details about changes to COVID-19 guidance and restrictions on December 11, 2020. Image Credit: Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo
Indoor dining will be suspended in New York City while gyms and salons can operate on new guidelines. On December 11, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced changes to COVID restriction guidelines starting Monday, December 14th. Among these changes, indoor dining would be suspended across New York City due to the increase in COVID-19 hospitalization rates. Outdoor dining and takeout/delivery are still permitted. Indoor dining will be allowed to continue at only 25 percent capacity across the rest of the state. (read more…)
Mayor Bill de Blasio describes the City’s plan to reopen schools on November 29, 2020. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
Elementary schools will reopen December 7th but middle and high schools will remain remote only for the foreseeable future. On November 29, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Education Chancellor Richard Carranza announced a plan to reopen New York City public schools for in-person learning after temporarily shutting schools on November 19th after the City’s COVID-19 positivity rates exceeded three percent. (read more…)
The COVID-19 pandemic brings many changes to the NYC holiday season, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year, balloons will be operated by specially rigged cars instead of handlers like here at the 2017 parade. Image Credit: Benjamin Kanter/Mayoral Photo Office.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NYC’s holiday season will look different than prior years. Some events have been outright cancelled, and some have been altered, with many opting for a virtual experience to prevent crowds to limit the spread of COVID-19. (read more…)
Diagram of what could be allowed through the Open Storefront Program. Image Credit: Mayor’s Office
The program is aimed to help provide more opportunities to shop safely. On October 28, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Open Storefronts program. Building on the success of the Mayor’s Open Restaurants and Open Streets program, Open Storefronts will provide safe spaces for small businesses to conduct business in the challenging economic environment while advancing Mayor de Blasio’s Recovery Agenda.
The program is expected to impact 40,000 businesses and support over 450,000 employees while providing customers with an additional option to shop in-person and locally ahead of the holiday shopping season. The Open Storefronts program began on October 30, 2020 and is set to run until December 31, 2020. (read more…)
Examples of freestanding gas heaters. Image Credit: NYC DOB
Three heating options were unveiled. On October 14, 2020, Mayor de Blasio on behalf of the Department of Buildings, Department of Transportation, and Fire Department of New York released guidelines for restaurants staying open for outdoor dining during the fall and winter. These new guidelines align with Mayor de Blasio’s recovery agenda to set New York City up to be the world’s capital for healthy outdoor living. This is not the first time New York City has reimagined its use of open spaces. In the 19th century, following a Cholera outbreak, the City began a period of open space creation that lead to the development of Central Park. (read more…)
The “Find Your Zone” Map showing yellow, orange and red zones over several neighborhoods in Queens. Click to enlarge image. Image Credit: NYC Mayor’s Office/Office of Emergency Management
Indicated zones will undergo restrictions for a minimum of 14 days after the zone is identified. On October 7, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the launch of the ‘Find Your Zone’ map, the City’s newest tool to help New Yorkers stay informed about the spread of COVID-19. The map allows users to enter an address to identify if that location is in a COVID-19 hotspot and what restrictions may apply to that zone for local schools, businesses, houses of worship, and other gatherings. (read more…)
