At Sixes and Sevens

Though, we are still unable to travel to the U.S.A., we are following the news closely, intensely and regularly. For the U.S. in general, but specifically for NYC, where we have a lot of friends, and, in addition, two - in "before Corona times" - top-selling guidebooks on the market.

Currently, in the daily news in Germany it's mostly negative and critical comments about the U.S. we read/hear. Not sparing a thought yet that our business will be back to normal and that travel activities can be resumed soon. But, nevertheless, there is hope for some "normality" in parts of the States, though it'll be a slow, tedious process with hickups. As hard as NYC was hit by the virus at the beginning, the threat has now retreated further south and west and NYC seems to show signs of slow recovery.

You'll have to keep in mind, that the situation in regard to SARS-CoV-2/COVID 19 is everything but consistent. Considering the size of the U.S.A. (Germany would size-wise fit about 27times into the land area!)and the highly variable density of population, there are regions/states - e.g. the Dakotas or Vermont - for which the virus is not a big topic anymore and where life is already back to normal. While in other states/counties, e.g. in Texas, Florida or Louisiana, people don't dare to get out anymore to do their grocery shopping.

Reopening New York

End of March, Governor Andrew Cuomo NYC shut down New York City, almost completely, closed restaurant, stopped construction work, made many people jobless (and, closely associated, healthcare-less). June 8th, Cuomos four-part reopening plan »New York Forward« became operative. Companies and construction work got bit by bit back on track, shops were allowed to offer pick-up service and public transport (MTA) started to operate on a regular basis again (with no night traffic from 1 to 5 am, to desinfect trains). Up to 10 peole were allowed to get together, notabene with adequate distance and masks. Cuomo made it a law that if a distance of 6 ft (1,83m) can't be observed, a mask is mandatory. Same goes for public transportation and taxis.

In the following weeks, other offices, hairdressers and stores reopened, as well as service companies. NYSE (Stock Exchange) resumed operation. Beaches, e.g. Coney Island, are open, swimming is still prohibited. Parks are accessible as well, only some heavily frequented ones have restrictions in numbers of visitors at a time.

July 20th, outdoor venues were allowed to reopen, among them Botanical Gardens and Zoos. Still closed are currently fitness studios, malls, museums, movie theaters and theaters. Broadway already announced that they won't open in 2020 anymore, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall made the same decision. Other then formerly announced, restaurants (inside) stayed closed, only outside service is being offered.

Since the Corona hotspots shifted to other states in the U.S.A. in the last couple of weeks, New York requests visitors from currently 22 other states now to quarantine for two weeks. Also, Governor Cuomo ordered to pay more attention to social distancing rules and mandatory mask-wearing. Some restaurants and shops which contravened the rules were already shut down by the police. Mayor de Blasio is especially sceptical in regard to operations inside and therefore wants to keep restaurants closed for customers inside.

What's open in NYC:


- Empire State Building (left pic): open since 7/20.
- Museums: some plan to open end of July, most (e.g. the MET) only end of August.
- One World Observatory - no re-opening date yet
- Top of the Rock: re-opening on Aug. 6
- Hudson Yards/The Edge & The Vessel: open again from middle of August on
- 9/11 Memorial/Museum: Memorial (pic above, right): daily 1-8 pm, museum still closed

- Governors Island (above pic on the left): open since July 15 for „passive recreation activities“, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, weekends 10am-7pm
- Liberty/Ellis Island: only open areas on Liberty Island accessible, new museum closed as well as Ellis Island.
- High Line Park (above, right): noon-8 pm daily, „ timed-entry pass“ (free, to book in advance online) necessary, masks and social distancing. Only entrance: Gansevoort Street
- Central Park: (pic further up) open with masks and distance rules. No group activities, visitor centers, playgrounds and athletic fields are closed.
- Markets/Foodhalls: food stalls and stalls open for pick-up. Essex Market (pic below): 8am-6pm, Sun. 10am-6pm ), no seating for customers, some stalls are closed. Smorgasburg: „SmorgTo Go“ in Williamsburg (51 N. 6th St./Kent Ave) with ten alternating vendors, daily 11:30am-8pm for order pick-up.