The COVID-19 vaccine can prevent COVID-19 symptoms and severe COVID-19 illness.
There are currently three COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration:
The vaccines are administered through shots in the arm. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses taken 3 to 4 weeks apart.
To learn more, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine page.
Vaccine Mandates
The City's Health Department is using an alert level system that tracks COVID-19 transmission and health care capacity in the city. These levels will help you understand what precautions you need to take and how to best protect yourself and others based on each level.
| Low | Medium | High | Very High |
|---|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 is spreading at low levels in the community. | There is medium community spread of COVID-19. | There is high community spread and substantial pressure on the health care system. | There is very high community spread of COVID-19. Health care services are overwhelmed. |
The current COVID-19 Alert Level in NYC is Low.
At this time, follow these prevention tips:
If New York City enters the medium alert level, the City will consider requiring face masks in high-risk settings where it is crowded and physical distance cannot be maintained. The City will also consider bringing back the Key to NYC vaccination requirements for indoor dining, entertainment and fitness venues.
Learn more about COVID-19 alert levels and recommended actions.
Spread
The virus is most likely to spread to people who are within about 6 feet of an infected person. The virus is in droplets that are sprayed when a person coughs or sneezes, and possibly when they talk. Staying 6 feet away helps protect you from that spray.
Scientists disagree on how long COVID-19 lives on surfaces, but it can live on surfaces that people frequently touch. The virus can then be spread if someone touches their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands that have virus on them.
Scientists now believe that people who have no symptoms can spread the virus. However, people who are experiencing symptoms like coughing or sore throat are probably more likely to transmit the virus to others.
Prevention
To prevent coronavirus, you should take the same precautions that you would during cold and flu season:
Do:
Don’t:
Cleaning and Disinfection Tips
Oral antiviral pills for the treatment of COVID-19 are now available for free, same-day, at-home delivery. Both oral antiviral pills and monoclonal antibodies have been proven to be effective at reducing severe outcomes, like hospitalization and death, and are available for those who test positive for COVID-19 and have mild to moderate symptoms.
Treatment is most effective when started soon after symptom onset, so the Health Department recommends that New Yorkers get tested right away if they feel sick. Due to limited supply of both monoclonal antibody treatments and antiviral pills, these treatments are prioritized for those who have tested positive and are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. If you who test positive you should contact your doctor or call 212-COVID19 to be connected to care and to discuss treatment options available to you.
Online
Learn more about COVID-19 antiviral pills.
By Phone
Face Covering Mandate
The State mandate requiring face coverings or masks to be worn in businesses and apartment buildings ended on February 10, 2022. Complaints are no longer accepted.
Face coverings are still required for everyone when in:
Children over age 2 must wear a mask in the same places adults must wear them, including school. Masks and respirators should not be worn by children younger than age 2.
Businesses and other private establishments are allowed to require masks for employees and customers.
It is recommended that people who are not fully vaccinated wear a face covering in all public settings, indoors and outdoors.
People who are fully vaccinated are urged to wear face coverings in all public indoor settings, as well as in any setting when they do not know the vaccination status of those around them.
People who are at increased risk of severe illness or are unvaccinated should consider wearing two masks. Using a cloth mask over a disposable mask improves the fit and adds layers. Also consider using a single higher-grade mask, such as a KN95 or KF94.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about face coverings.
Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Some people do not have any symptoms. Most people will have mild to moderate symptoms and recover on their own.
Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and can include:
Older adults may show confusion or disorientation and experience falls.
This list does not include all possible symptoms.
If you have any of these symptoms and they are not due to a preexisting health condition like asthma or emphysema, you may have COVID-19 and you must stay home.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get a diagnostic test now – regardless of age, chronic conditions, or occupation – and then stay home.
Chronic Health Risks
People who are at most risk for severe illness are those who have health conditions including:
An infection can result in death, but that is a rare outcome.
Close contact for exposure is defined as either:
Diagnostic Testing
COVID-19 diagnostic tests are used to determine if you currently have COVID-19. Diagnostic tests don't test for immunity or tell you if you had the virus in the past.
If you were sick and have now recovered and want to be tested, you should take an antibody test instead.
To learn more about the COVID-19 diagnostic test or to find a testing site, go to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing page.
Antibody Testing
COVID-19 antibody tests are used to determine if you've had COVID-19 in the past.
These tests can't be used to determine whether you are currently infected with COVID-19. If you are currently sick, you should get a diagnostic test instead.
To learn more about the COVID-19 antibody test, including testing sites, go to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing page.
At-Home COVID-19 Tests
The Biden Administration has launched a website where you can order free, at-home COVID-19 rapid tests. To learn more, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing page.
Test and Trace Corps
Test and Trace Corps is a program run by the City of New York through Health + Hospitals and in collaboration with DOHMH, DOITT, TLC, and many more.
The Corps helps New Yorkers receive free and easy testing for COVID-19 and ensures that anyone with the virus receives care and can safely isolate to prevent the spread. A specialized group of Contact Tracers has been created to provide resources and support.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you'll receive a call from a Contact Tracer within 24 hours.
The Tracer will:
Contact Tracers will also call those who were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 to help them get tested and connect them with any services they might need.
Online
Learn more about Contact Tracing.
By Phone
If you do not receive a call from a Contact Tracer within 24 hours of testing positive, you can contact MedRite. They are a healthcare provider hired by NYC Test & Trace to provide at-home COVID-19 testing services.
If your symptoms are mild, you should stay home and monitor your condition.
Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms and they do not improve in 3 to 4 days:
You should try to contact your health care provider by phone rather than going to them in person.
If you can't get in contact with or don't have a health care provider, you can speak with a NYC Health + Hospitals clinician.
Monoclonal antibodies are made in a lab and work similarly to antibodies your immune system makes to fight infection. This treatment helps your body fight COVID-19 while your immune system begins to make its own antibodies. Clinical studies for these treatments were shown to be safe and effective.
Treatment is authorized for people who meet all the following:
Treatment is usually given by intravenous (IV) infusion and takes about an hour. Treatment can also be given by injection. Patients are observed for an additional hour to make sure they do not have any immediate bad reactions.
Side effects may include:
If you experience fever, trouble breathing, rapid or slow heart rate, tiredness, weakness, confusion, or other concerning symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Fully vaccinated people no longer need to quarantine after exposure to someone with COVID-19, as long as they do not have symptoms. They also no longer need to get tested for COVID-19, unless they have symptoms of COVID-19 or testing is required for work, school, or a specific activity.
While at home, you should monitor your health. Self-monitoring means you check yourself for fever and remain alert for COVID-19 symptoms which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and sore throat.
You can leave your home when all of the following is true:
Learn about the best practices for quarantine from the Centers for Disease Control.
Learn about the best practices for self-isolation from the Centers for Disease Control.
Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a health condition that has appeared in children in New York City. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now confirmed there is a link to COVID-19.
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to preventing long-term complications from MIS-C.
Most children have a fever lasting several days, along with other symptoms.
Common symptoms include:
If your child becomes ill and has had a continued fever, call your doctor immediately.
If you do not have a doctor, go to the Find a Doctor page to speak to an NYC Health + Hospitals clinician.
Pregnancy, Newborns, and Breastfeeding
You can get information about the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy, newborn babies, and breastfeeding.
Online
Get the "Guidance for People Who Are Pregnant, Breastfeeding or Caring for Newborns" sheet.
By Phone
Vaccine Mandate
Transmission from Animals
At this time there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, play a significant role in spreading COVID-19. The virus that causes COVID-19 appears to be transmitted exclusively from person to person.
Transmission to Animals
The CDC is aware of a small number of pets becoming sick with COVID-19, including both cats and dogs. Only a few of the animals who tested positive showed signs of illness, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. Until more is known about transmission, the CDC recommends that people with symptoms restrict contact with their pets.
Learn more about COVID-19 and animals.
Pets
If you are sick, restrict contact with your pets and have another member of your household care for your animals.
Test & Trace Corps provides animal services for people who have COVID-19 and need to safely separate but need assistance with their pet.
Learn more about available animal services.
You should have a plan to keep your pets safe if you have a medical emergency and are unable to care for them.
Travel to New York State
As of June 25, 2021, the New York State Travel Advisory is no longer in effect. Travelers arriving in New York are no longer required to submit traveler health forms.
All travelers, domestic and international, should continue to follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel requirements.
The CDC recommends:
Travelers that are symptomatic must immediately self-isolate and contact the local health department or their healthcare providers to determine if they should seek COVID-19 testing.
Regardless of quarantine status, all individuals exposed to COVID-19 or returning from travel must:
Learn more about CDC guidance for:
Travel to Other States
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise residents to be mindful of domestic travel.
You should delay travel until you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s guidelines for unvaccinated people.
People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization can travel safely within the United States.
CDC will update these recommendations as more people are vaccinated, as rates of COVID-19 change, and as additional scientific evidence becomes available. This guidance applies to travel within the United States and U.S. territories.
Learn more about travel guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
