NY Event Policies Covid-19
Updated: January 3, 2022
New York Says “I Do”!
On March 15th, 2021, Governor Cuomo announced that weddings and catered events will be resuming across New York with adherence to the State’s specific safety precautions. As of January 3, 2022, there are still restrictions, both state and city-wide, for indoor and outdoor events. As more information is being continually released to the public, we are keeping an up-to-date guide on everything we know about having your special event! Make sure to add this article into your bookmarks so you can return to it as we update the information alongside the evolving health precautions in New York!
New York Wedding Reopening LLG Events Guide:
Mandatory Testing & Vaccines
NYC has requirements for both workers and customers in businesses that fall under “public indoor spaces”, which are defined as “any indoor space that is not a private residence” and include indoor dining (e.g. restaurants), indoor fitness, and indoor entertainment and meeting spaces (venues such as hotel “meeting and event spaces”, museums, etc). This will likely include your desired venue unless you are hosting in a private residence. Full list here.
Testing Protocol: Testing and isolation for up to 14 days is recommended if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19
As of December 21, 2021, testing is expanding by an additional 10,000 sites nationwide.
Vaccine Protocol: Anyone who has received all required doses of the vaccine at least 14 days prior to the event is not included in the testing rules (However, venues may still require their own negative tests). Certain venues may require the booster shot, e.g. the Met, but as of December 21, this is not mandatory state or city-wide.
Children ages 5-11 are now required to now have proof of at least one dose of a vaccine
.All individuals ages 12+ must be fully vaccinated to participate in indoor activities at the venues above. Adults (18+) are required to show ID in addition to proof of vaccination.
Fully-vaccinated: received all required doses of a particular vaccine (e.g. 1 for Johnson&Johnson, 2 for Pfizer), with the exception of the booster shot, though it is recommended you receive it as the definition of “fully-vaxxed” is changing!
As of December 27, 2021, all workers in NYC who “perform in-person work or interact with the public” must prove they’ve been vaccinated with at least one dose (and, if another dose is required, must provide proof of a second dose within 45 days, i.e. by February 10, 2022). Unvaccinated workers are not allowed to enter workplaces. Businesses must verify each worker’s vaccination record, and they must either keep a copy of that record or verify it every time said worker enters the workplace. Employers must also keep a DOHMH sign in an obvious, visible spot.
Additionally, businesses that fall under the category of “public indoor spaces” must verify the vaccination status of all customers ages (5+) and may NOT permit entry to those who do not meet the above requirements.
Note that this is a NYC requirement, NOT a NY State requirement, though individual businesses may implement stricter guidelines as they wish
June 7th update - Governor Cuomo announces that once 70% of New Yorkers 18+ have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination series, COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted. Fully vaccinated individuals, masks and social distancing is no longer required.
Unvaccinated individuals still must maintain original COVID-19 restrictions of wearing a mask and maintaining six feet of social distancing.
Lifted restrictions do not apply to the following: large event venues such as sports fields, Pre-K to 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and healthcare settings. Masks and social distancing are required until further notice.
Venue & Social Distancing
As of December 10, 2021, masks will be required to be worn at all times by individuals ages 2+ in all businesses/venues in NY State that have NOT implemented a vaccine requirement, though the CDC recommends wearing masks regardless.
Based on vaccination status, capacity is limited by the space available for patrons to maintain the required social distancing precautions. For individuals that are fully vaccinated, no social distancing is required.
Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or be socially distant
Unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status individuals must maintain six feet of social distance and wear masks.
Unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status individuals may remove their masks indoors if they are socially distanced, seated, AND eating or drinking. Outdoors, masks may be removed while six feet apart and if seated at an event or gathering.
If all attendees are fully vaccinated, event venues can operate up to 100% capacity. Event venues can operate up to 100% capacity so long as all attendees are fully vaccinated, consistent with federal and state law regulations where applicable.
For gatherings and events that exceed the State social gathering limit (250 indoors, 500 outdoors, 50 private residence) to proceed without social distancing, proof of vaccination is required.
Self-reporting of vaccination status is not permitted for events to proceed without social distancing.
Indoor events above the gathering limit require attendees over the age of 4 to present proof of recent negative COVID-19 test results within 72 hours or antigen within 6 hours prior to admission.
Outdoor events do not require proof of COVID-19 test results for unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status individuals’
Dancing & Performances
New York ended the dance zone requirement at weddings and events starting May 3rd.
Guests do not need to wear masks while dancing as long as everyone attending the event is vaccinated.
Vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks while dancing at events while unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status individuals must continue to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
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Our News Update Guide:
Jan. 29, 2021: View the press conference here (wedding policies 13:41 - 14:45)
Feb. 22, 2021: View the press article here
Feb. 25, 2021: View the updated guidelines here
March 15, 2021: View updates on vaccines and testing centers in NYC here
March 26, 2021: Information on the launch of Excelsior Pass found here
April 2, 2021: View the increased venue capacity guidelines here
April 29, 2021: View the article announcing the end of dance zones here
June 7, 2021: View the article reviewing the relaxed COVID-19 policies here
Dec. 10, 2021: View NY State’s health commissioner’s determination here
Dec. 21, 2021: View the article covering President Biden’s Omnicron variant announcement here.
