After being the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis in the US in April and May, New York City entered Phase Four, the final phase of reopening, on July 20, 2020.
This phase includes reopening for low-risk outdoor arts & entertainment, media production, and professional sports competitions with no fans.
Even though higher education, Pre-K to grade 12 schools, low-risk indoor arts & entertainment, and malls are all part of phase four, for safety measures, their opening have not yet been determined.
1- Low-Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment
These guidelines apply to all low-risk outdoor arts and entertainment activities permitted to reopen. This guidance applies to low-risk outdoor arts/entertainment activities, including outdoor zoos, botanical gardens, nature parks, grounds of historic sites and cultural institutions, outdoor museums, outdoor agritourism, local agricultural demonstrations and exhibitions; and other similar institutions/activities.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, all owners/operators of low-risk outdoor art and/or entertainment centers should stay up to date with any changes to state and federal requirements related to outdoor arts and entertainment activities and incorporate those changes into their operations. This guidance is not intended to replace any existing applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and standards. This guidance does not apply to indoor arts or entertainment, museums, or outdoor recreational activities.
Physical Distancing
• Limit workforce and patron/visitor presence to no more than 33% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area at any given time, inclusive of patrons/visitors, who must only be permitted entry into the institution if they wear an acceptable face covering, provided that they are over age 2 and able to medically tolerate one.
• Ensure limited indoor capacity to accommodate patrons/visitors who may need to enter/exit through indoor space to access the outdoor arts/ entertainment space, restroom(s), payment locations, or in an emergency, and allow such ingress/egress in a socially distant manner.
• Ensure a distance of at least 6 ft. is maintained among individuals, except for members of the same household or party, at all times, unless safety or the core activity requires a shorter distance (e.g. operating cash registers), in which case all individuals must wear face coverings.
• Ensure that employees wear face coverings any time they interact with patrons/visitors, and that all individuals, including employees and patrons/ visitors, wear face coverings any time they ‘re within 6 ft. of another person.
• For exhibits in a small area, calculate and enforce maximum occupancy limits and social distancing.
• Monitor/control flow of traffic into the site and exhibits to adhere to capacity requirements, and enhance employee/security presence to enforce limitations on gathering size, as necessary.
• Only permit group tours for members of the same household or party and with a maximum capacity under social gathering requirements at the time, including employees and patrons/visitors.
• Close high-risk interactive exhibits (e.g. those requiring patrons/visitors to touch or wear objects).
• Close children’s play areas or exhibits with play equipment, unless such areas/exhibits can be cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized between each child using the area/equipment who is not a member of the same household or party.
• Move any picnic areas and benches 6 ft. apart or close them if they can’t be moved.
• Operate in accordance with industry-specific DOH guidelines where appropriate.
Protective Equipment
• Ensure patrons/visitors are only permitted entry into the institution if they wear an acceptable face covering; provided they are over age 2 and able to medically tolerate one.
• Ensure patrons/visitors wear face coverings whenever they are in common areas or scenarios where it may be difficult to maintain 6 ft. of distance (e.g. entering/ leaving the facility, traversing an enclosed small exhibit, interacting with employees) and whenever they are within 6 ft. of individuals who are not members of their household or party.
• Ensure that any time employees come within six feet of another person, acceptable face coverings are worn. Employees must be prepared to don a face covering if another person unexpectedly comes within 6 ft. Employees also must wear face coverings any time they interact with patrons/visitors.
• Provide employees with an acceptable face covering at no-cost to the employee and have an adequate supply of coverings in case of need for replacement.
• Acceptable face coverings include but are not limited to cloth (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, and face shields.
• Clean, replace, and prohibit sharing of face coverings. Consult CDC guidance for information on PPE, as well as instructions on use and cleaning.
• Limit the sharing of objects among employees, as well as the touching of shared surfaces; or, require employees to wear gloves (trade-appropriate or medical) when in contact with shared objects or frequently touched surfaces; or, require employees to perform hand hygiene before and after contact.
Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection
• Adhere to hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection requirements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health (DOH) and maintain logs on site that document date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.
• Provide and maintain hand hygiene stations on site, including handwashing with soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels, as well as an alcohol- based hand sanitizer containing 60% or more alcohol for areas where handwashing is not available/practical.
• Make hand sanitizer available throughout common areas (e.g. near exhibits).
• Conduct regular cleaning and disinfection of the site and more frequent cleaning and disinfection for high- risk areas used by many individuals and for frequently touched areas. Use Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) products identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as effective against COVID-19.
• Discontinue headsets/equipment loaned/rented to patrons/visitors unless they can be properly disinfected after each use.
• If single-use maps are not provided, ensure they are cleaned and disinfected after every use.
• Provide for cleaning and disinfection of exposed areas in the event an individual is confirmed to have COVID- 19, with such cleaning and disinfection to include, at a minimum, all heavy transit areas and high-touch surfaces (e.g. badge scanners, restrooms, handrails, door handles, vending machines, communal coffee stations). Follow CDC guidelines on cleaning your facility after a suspected or confirmed case.
Communication
• Affirm you have reviewed and understand the state- issued industry guidelines, and that you will implement them.
• Post signage throughout the location to remind personnel and patrons/visitors to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, appropriate use of PPE, and cleaning and disinfection protocols.
• Conspicuously post completed safety plans on site.
Screening
• Implement mandatory daily health screenings for employees and, where practicable, contractors and vendors (but do not mandate for patrons/visitors or delivery personnel), including an assessment (e.g. questionnaire, temperature check) asking about (1) COVID-19 symptoms in past 14 days, (2) positive COVID- 19 test in past 14 days, and/or (3) close or proximate contact with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in past 14 days. Responses must be reviewed and documented daily.
• Immediately notify the state and local health department upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 test results.
• Designate a site safety monitor whose responsibilities include continuous compliance with all aspects of the site safety plan.
2- Media Production
These guidelines apply to media production businesses/activities in regions of New York that have been permitted to reopen. For the purpose of this guidance, “media production activities” encompass all activities undertaken in motion picture, music, television, and streaming productions on set, on location, or at any production or recording site.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, all owners/managers of media production businesses should stay up to date with any changes to state and federal requirements related to media production and incorporate those changes into their operations. This guidance is not intended to replace any existing applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and standards.
Physical Distancing
• For indoor facilities or locations, ensure that the presence of employees, cast, and crew members is limited to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area.
• Ensure that all employees, cast, and crew maintain 6 ft. of physical distance between each other in all locations (e.g. meal areas, common areas, trailers, video village, equipment areas) around the media production facility or location.
• Provided that certain functions during media production require coming within 6 ft. of others (e.g. hair, makeup, sound, filming, performing), identify such functions and implement a protocol for mitigation of risk for affected individuals.
• If safety or the core activity (e.g. moving equipment, unloading materials) requires individuals to be within a shorter distance, individuals must wear acceptable face coverings.
• Ensure that all employees, cast, and crew wear acceptable face coverings at all times within the media production facility or location, provided that they are over age 2 and able to medically tolerate one.
• Performers may temporarily remove their face covering during performances/rehearsals, or when it interferes with a core activity, such as hair, makeup, or wardrobe. Performers must don face coverings following these activities.
• Limit the number of employees, cast, and crew to only essential individuals for both indoor and outdoor media production activities. Any non-essential personnel (e.g. friends, family, guests, visitors) must be prohibited.
• Take social distancing requirements into account when scouting or choosing media production locations. Ensure that locations can be secured completely from the general public, allow for enough space to adhere to social distancing requirements, and maintain appropriate and cleaning and disinfection standards.
• Ensure there is sufficient security to limit access to only essential individuals and to disperse anyone who gathers outside.
• Reserve adequate space for employees, cast, and crew to observe a distancing while eating meals.
• If more than one individual rides in a vehicle, ensure that all occupants wear face coverings.
• Establish designated areas for pick-ups and deliveries, limiting contact to the extent possible.
Workplace Activity
• Operate in accordance with industry-specific DOH guidelines where appropriate.
• Prohibit live audiences unless they consist only of paid employees, cast, and crew. Employees, cast, and crew may make up a live audience of no more than 100 individuals or 25% of the audience capacity, whichever is lower, and maintain 6 ft. of social distance in all directions.
Protective Equipment
• Ensure that all employees, cast, and crew wear face coverings at all times within the media production facility or location, provided the individual is over the age of 2 and medically able to tolerate one.
• Performers may temporarily remove their face covering during performances or rehearsals or when it interferes with a core activity such as hair, makeup, or wardrobe. Performers must don face coverings as soon as practicable following the above activities.
• Ensure that all employees, cast, and crew in close proximity to performers without face coverings (e.g. hair stylists, make-up artists, costume designers, sound technicians, studio teachers, stunt coordinators, special effects technicians) wear both an acceptable face covering and eye protection, such as a face shield or goggles, during the activity requiring close proximity.
• Provide employees, cast, and crew with an acceptable face covering at no-cost to the employee, cast, or crew member.
• Acceptable face coverings include but are not limited to cloth-based face coverings and disposable masks that cover both the mouth and nose.
• Face coverings must be cleaned or replaced after use or when damaged or soiled, may not be shared, and should be properly stored or discarded.
• Train employees, cast, and crew on how to adequately don, doff, clean (as applicable), and discard PPE, including but not limited to face coverings.
Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection
• Adhere to hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection requirements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health (DOH) and maintain logs on site that document date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.
• Provide and maintain hand hygiene stations throughout the facility or location, including handwashing with soap, running warm water, and paper towels, as well as an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 60% or more alcohol for areas where handwashing is not feasible.
• Hand sanitizer must be available throughout common areas.
• Conduct regular cleaning and disinfection of the media production facility or location including high risk areas and frequently touched surfaces (e.g. studios, production sets, hair and make-up stations, trailers, break areas, eating areas, vehicles).
• Ensure that all media production equipment and tools (e.g. cases, cameras, eyepieces, lenses, monitors and touchscreens, dollies) are regularly cleaned and disinfected using registered disinfectants. Refer to Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) products identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as effective against COVID-19.
• Ensure all props, costumes, and set materials are cleaned and disinfected between each use and stored in sealed containers between uses.
• If cleaning or disinfection products or the act of cleaning and disinfection causes safety hazards or degrades the material or machinery, put in place hand hygiene stations between use and/or supply disposable gloves and/or limitations on the number of individuals using such objects.
• Prohibit shared food and beverages among employees, cast, and crew (e.g. self-serve meals and beverages) and reserve adequate space for employees, cast, and crew to observe social distancing while eating meals.
Communication
• Affirm you have reviewed and understand the state- issued industry guidelines, and that you will implement them.
• Post signage inside/outside of the media production facility or location to remind individuals to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, appropriate use of face coverings, and cleaning /disinfection protocols.
• Notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 test result by any individual at the media production facility or location.
• Conspicuously post completed safety plans on site.
Screening
• Ensure that employees, cast, and crew members, whose job functions or roles involve close or proximate contact with cast members, have been tested for COVID-19 through a diagnostic test, prior to their participation in media production activities, and at least once per week thereafter, when on site or location.
• Implement mandatory daily health screenings for employees, cast, crew, and where practicable, contractors and vendors (e.g. questionnaire, temperature check) asking about (1) COVID-19 symptoms in past 14 days, (2) positive COVID-19 test in past 14 days, and/or (3) close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who was under isolation for COVID-19 or with anyone who tested positive or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19 within the past month.
• Any employee, cast, crew member, contractor, or vendor who screens positive for COVID-19 symptoms must not be allowed to enter the media production facility/ location and must be sent home with instructions to contact their healthcare provider for assessment and testing.
3- Professional Sports Competitions with No Fans
These guidelines apply to all activities undertaken in preparation for professional sports competitions, as well as the conduct of such competitions, at an appropriate venue for professional sports competitions, such as a stadium or arena. For the purposes of this document, professional sports are defined as any sporting event at which participants are paid by a league or team. This guidance does not apply to collegiate sports; it also does not apply to horse racing or auto racing, which are addressed in separate guidance documents.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, owners/management of professional sports teams and professional sporting venues should stay up to date with any changes to state and federal requirements related professional sports and incorporate those changes into their operations. This guidance is not intended to replace any existing applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and standards.
This document is predicated on the tenet that no live audience, fans, or spectators will be authorized to attend any professional sporting competition or training program at the time of publication.
Physical Distancing
• Ensure that all team staff, athletes, and venue personnel maintain 6 ft. of distance from other individuals or groups of people, to the extent possible, and not withstanding proximity or contact that may occur during competition or other core activities.
• Provided that certain functions at professional sports venues require being within 6 ft. of others, these functions shall be identified and a protocol for mitigation of risk for affected individuals shall be implemented.
• Ensure that all individuals wear appropriate face coverings when in the venue at all times, except for athletes when engaged in training, warming up, or competition and broadcast media personnel when it interferes with the core activity. Athletes must don face coverings after completion of any of the above activities, or before active competition such as when standing/sitting on the sidelines.
• Ensure that no live audience, fans, or spectators are allowed to attend or permitted to enter any professional sports venue, even if an outdoor venue.
• Prohibit fans from congregating outside the venue and implement a security plan to safely disperse any individuals that gather outside of the venue.
• Establish protocols for team staff and athletes to limit the use of frequently shared spaces, such as locker rooms, restrooms, lounges, team benches, or similar spaces, to allow for proper social distancing when not on the field of play.
• Limit the number of team staff and venue staff on site to only essential personnel required to successfully stage and broadcast competition while maintaining all applicable health and safety standards.
• Limit the number of individuals allowed on/near the field to only athletes, essential team staff (e.g. coaches), and others deemed necessary.
• Ensure that team staff and athletes on the sidelines maintain appropriate social distancing at all times, and minimize congregation.
• Ensure that only team athletes and essential staff are allowed in designated team areas (e.g. locker rooms, athlete lounges, training areas, athlete medical areas).
• Ensure that media interactions, including post-game interviews, always follow appropriate social distancing.
• Limit in-person gatherings (e.g. team meetings, coaching briefings) as much as possible.
• Establish designated areas for pick-ups and deliveries, limiting contact to the extent possible.
• Develop a plan for people to maintain six feet of social distance while queuing inside or outside of the building for screening, as applicable.
• If non essential amenities and communal are open, make hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes available next to equipment near such amenities (e.g. vending machines, communal coffee stations, club houses).
Workplace Activity
Follow all applicable DOH guidance, such as:
• Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Offices for any activities taking place in offices.
• Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Professional Sports Training Facilities for any activities taking place in venue training facilities.
• Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Personal Care for any activities related to massage therapy or spas, or makeup, as applicable.
• Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Food Services for any activities related to food/beverage.
Ensure that all team staff, athletes, and venue personnel receive training on COVID-19 safety, proper hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection protocols
Protective Equipment
• Ensure that all individuals wear appropriate face coverings when in the venue at all times, except for athletes when engaged in training, warming up, or competition and broadcast media personnel when it interferes with the core activity. Athletes must don face coverings after completion of any of the above activities, or before active competition such as when standing/sitting on the sidelines.
• If gloves are not worn, staff must perform hand hygiene before and after close contact with athletes.
• Provide employees, players, and team staff within the venue with an acceptable face covering at no-cost to the employee, player, or team staff.
• Allow team staff, athletes, and venue personnel to use their own acceptable face coverings or additional personal protective equipment.
• Acceptable face coverings include but are not limited to cloth (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana) and surgical masks, unless the nature of the work requires stricter PPE (e.g. N95 respirator, face shield).
• Face coverings must be cleaned or replaced after use and may not be shared. Consult CDC guidance.
• Implement measures to limit the sharing of objects, such as equipment, materials, and vehicles, as well as the touching of shared surfaces; or, require employees, athletes, and team staff to wear gloves (trade- appropriate or medical) when in contact with shared objects/frequently touched surfaces, if practicable; or require employees, athletes, and team staff to perform hand hygiene before and after contact.
• Train employees on how to adequately put on, take off, clean (as applicable), and discard PPE.
Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection
• Adhere to hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection requirements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health (DOH) and maintain logs that document date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.
• Provide and maintain hand hygiene stations, including handwashing with soap, running warm water, and paper towels, as well as an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 60% or more alcohol for areas where handwashing is not feasible.
• Ensure that athletes perform hand hygiene before and after inserting or removing mouthguards.
• Provide and encourage team and venue personnel to use cleaning/disinfection supplies before and after use of shared and frequently touched surfaces, followed by hand hygiene.
• Conduct regular cleaning and disinfection of the venue and more frequent cleaning and disinfection of high risk areas used by many individuals and for frequently touched surfaces. Refer to Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) products identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as effective against COVID-19.
• Regularly clean and disinfect sporting equipment that is handled by multiple athletes throughout the competition (e.g. soccer balls, baseballs, tennis balls, basketballs, baseball bats).
• Clean and disinfect any medical areas including tables and surfaces between each use or exam.
• Ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms.
• Ensure that all athlete areas are appropriately and effectively cleaned and disinfected after the end of each practice and competition.
• Prohibit shared food and beverages (e.g. self-serve meals and beverages) and reserve adequate space for team and venue personnel to observe social distancing while eating meals.
• Ensure that all saunas, hot tubs, cryotherapy chambers, or similar enclosed spaces remain closed.
• Prohibit sharing of any personal items (e.g. water bottles, equipment, towels, toiletries, clothing, supplements) among team staff and athletes.
Communication
• Affirm you have reviewed and understand the state- issued industry guidelines, and that you will implement them.
• Post signage reminding individuals to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, appropriate use of PPE, and cleaning and disinfection protocols.
• Notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 test result by any personnel at the site.
• In the case of any team staff, athlete, or venue personnel testing positive, cooperate with the state and local health department to trace contacts. Neither competitions nor practices may proceed until contact tracing is completed and isolation of infected persons and quarantine of exposed persons are implemented by the state and local health departments as appropriate
• Conspicuously post completed safety plans on site.
Screening
• Implement diagnostic testing for COVID-19 for all athletes and essential team staff with regular player access 48 hours before a competition, where feasible, given lab operating hours and turnaround time, regardless of antibody test results or history of infection.
• Implement mandatory daily health screenings for team staff, athletes, and venue personnel prior to any engagement in professional sports activities, as well as for vendors where applicable (e.g. questionnaire, temperature check) asking about (1) COVID-19 symptoms in past 14 days, (2) positive COVID-19 test in past 14 days, and/or (3) close or proximate contact with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in past 14 days.
• Ensure that any personnel performing screening activities, including temperature checks, are appropriately protected from exposure to potentially infectious individuals entering the facility.
• Any team staff member, athlete, or venue personnel who screens positive for COVID-19 symptoms must not be allowed to enter the venue and must be sent home or to a designated accommodation with instructions to contact their healthcare provider for assessment and testing.
• Designate a central point of contact, which may vary by activity, location, shift or day, responsible for receiving and attesting to having reviewed all team staff, athlete, and venue personnel questionnaires, with such contact also identified as the party for team staff, athletes, or venue personnel to inform if they later are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, as noted on the questionnaire.
• Require any team staff, athlete, and/or venue personnel to immediately disclose if and when any responses to screening questions change, such as if they begin to experience symptoms.
For more information:
Businesses should visit nyc.gov/business for industry reopening guides, free webinars, outreach flyers, and other resources in multiple languages. Business owners can call the dedicated SBS Restart Hotline for assistance: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).
NYC workers can visit nyc.gov/workers for resources in multiple languages and call the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Hotline at 212-436-0381 with questions about reopening, health and safety guidelines for the workplace, or to report an employer that is not following reopening requirements.
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