Safe to say I was a little worried about travelling to New York during COVID. It was my first big trip since the pandemic began so I was confused by all the requirements and scared of getting something wrong. We went almost immediately after borders opened and it was hard to find the relevant info online. This was made even harder by the UK’s entry requirements changing the minute I landed in NYC. Typical!
In the end, it was so much easier than I thought it would be. It was only the lack of clear information that made it so stressful! So here is everything I learned about visiting New York during COVID to make your trip easier!
How to Enter America
At the moment there are 3 COVID related requirements to enter America. These are:
- Vaccination Status – You must be fully vaccinated to enter America. This can be with any vaccine approved by the CDC. All vaccines used in the UK are eligible, you just need to have had both doses at least 14 days before arrival to be considered “fully vaccinated”
- COVID Test – You will need to present a negative COVID test taken no more than 1 day before travel to board your flight. This can be a PCR or a rapid antigen test, however, it must be supervised by a medical professional so cannot just be an at home NHS lateral flow test. I used Collinson’s supervised option for my test and took it over video call with one of their team. I then had to send a photo of my results, along with my ID before they provided my results certificate. This whole process took a couple of hours. You then just need to show the certificate to your airline.
- Attestation Form – The final hoop to jump through is to fill in this passenger attestation form. This is basically just confirming that you have completed the other requirements. Most airlines will provide you with an online version of this or give you a QR code in the check in queue so you can fill it out online.
Don’t forget, all regular US entry requirements are still in place, so make sure you have your ESTA or Visa as well as these new requirements!
How Can You Get A Test in New York?
Getting a test was my biggest worry about travelling to New York during COVID but it was much easier than I thought. Testing is readily available and often free, you just need to know where to look.
Our hotel recommended one of the LabQ vans on the street that do free PCR tests with results in 24 hours. We thought they looked a bit dodgy and didn’t really trust the fact that you write your email on a piece of paper and throw the test in a bucket. However, after a day of stressful waiting, the results came back and were accepted by our airline. They will also ask for your health insurance info but if you say you’re foreign and don’t have any, they’ll give you the test anyway.
My number one tip though is to make sure you write as clearly as possible! If you have messy handwriting, you won’t get anything back.
You can also book rapid tests at pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS. These slots can book up quickly so be sure to book as soon as you can. For these, you type in your details for the booking process )so it feels a lot more legitimate) and they’ll email you the results within an hour.
Do You Need To Wear A Mask?
Masks are currently compulsory in New York in all indoor settings as well as crowded outdoor areas. That includes the Subway, sports games, theatres and restaurants (until you get to your seat). This applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
Looking to save some money on your New York trip? Check out my top tips here.
Is Everywhere Open and How Do I Get In?
Pretty much everything is open! Whilst there will still be disruptions due to staff isolating etc, you can have a pretty normal (and by that I mean, AMAZING) New York experience!
However, you will need to show a vaccine pass to get into most entertainment spaces. This includes restaurants, bars, arenas and theatres. To make this easier, download the NYC COVID Safe app and upload screenshots of your vaccine pass QR code and some photo ID. You’ll then be asked for this at the door to most places before being allowed in.
So there you have it! It really is easier than it seems and exploring the city is well worth the effort. Do you have any other questions about travelling to New York during COVID?
