Museums and Restaurants Reopening to NYC’s Visitors

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that New York City (NYC) museums and other low-risk cultural institutions can reopen starting August 24, 2020. 

However, any institution that reopens will be subject to state guidance, such as strict enforcement of face coverings, social distancing, controlled traffic flow to avoid crowding, and enhanced disinfection protocols.

These NYC institutions include museums, aquariums, and other low-risk indoor cultural arts. 

"New York City's world-class cultural institutions have long provided comfort and creativity for generations of people in one of the world's most vibrant places, and when the COVID-19 pandemic began to threaten the city and this nation, it was especially heartbreaking to see them close their doors," Governor Cuomo said in a press statement issued on August 14, 2020.

To better feed these visitors, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on August 14, 2020, more locations for outdoor dining options as part of a City initiative that combines the Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs, while adding more seating in more outer-borough pedestrian plazas.

This announcement brings the citywide total to 76 participating streets and 9 pedestrian plazas.

The first round of Open Streets was announced on July 2nd, focused on corridors represented by organizations that have worked with DOT on street closures in the past. The second tranche was announced on July 17th, adding 26 new locations.

To ensure compliance with NYC’s new rules for visitors, Mayor de Blasio announced on August 5, 2020, there would be traveler registration checkpoints at key entry points.

“New York City is holding the line against COVID-19,,” commented Mayor de Blasio, in the press statement. "The Sheriff’s Office in coordination with other law enforcement agencies will undertake traveler registration checkpoints at major bridge and tunnel crossings into NYC.”

“The progress we're seeing across New York City in reducing transmission of COVID-19 is a collective effort by New Yorkers. We're focused on continuing and building on those efforts by encouraging those who travel to states with a high COVID positivity rate to follow state law and quarantine at home and only leave if it's essential,” said NYC Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long.

Vax-Before-Travel publishes travel advisory news.