COVID-19 Resources & Information

The safety of our community is our highest priority and the team at Visit Rochester encourages all to follow guidance issued by public health officials. We are continually monitoring the rapidly changing situation regarding COVID-19. Below are resources that will give the Rochesterians and potential visitors the latest information on the status of our tourism and hospitality community. News, updates and more resources will continue to be posted.

Rochester is currently in Phase 4 of the New York Forward state-wide reopening plan. Click here to see what’s currently open in Rochester, NY.

New York State has issued a travel advisory that all individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19 quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. For a list of designated states, travel guidance, and information for essential workers, please visit New York State's COVID-19 website.

ROC Ready Promise

ROC Ready Promise Badge Over Rochester Skyline

As we slowly and responsibly begin to reopen, we know you may be looking for information about what steps we're taking to protect those who live here and visit

Read more here.

What's Open In Rochester

Living Roots During COVID-19 770x300

Many businesses in Rochester are reopening smartly, and safely. As our community continues to reopen, we have compiled a list of places that are open and ready to welcome you to Rochester.

Read more here.

Know Before You Go

Rochester is ready to welcome you back and ready to help you explore. See what attractions are open in Rochester, NY and what to expect before you visit.

Read more here.

ROCHESTER TAKEOUT OPTIONS

Many local Rochester restaurants are open and have transitioned to offering takeout or curbside pickup.

Read more here.

VIRTUALLY VISIT ROCHESTER ATTRACTIONS

Many of Rochester’s cultural attractions are going digital to provide unique experiences for visitors and community members.

Read more here.

FRESH AIR ACTIVITIES

It’s good to get outside for some fresh air and sunshine with this list of safe outdoor activities.

Read more here.

ROCHESTER RISING - GOOD THINGS HAPPENING

Thank You Rochester 770x300

There are so many GOOD things happening in Rochester. See how the community is coming together to support one another.

Read more here.

THE FLOWER CITY WILL BLOOM AGAIN

Rochester, NY will rise and the Flower City will bloom again.

See the full video here.

FAMILY FUN AT HOME

Our love of Rochester is LIMITLESS. We partnered with Shawn Dunwoody on an original coloring page. Cure cabin fever with our series of #LearningROCS educational scavenger hunts.

Download the family fun here.

Health Department Resources

Monroe County Department of Health
https://www2.monroecounty.gov/health-coronavirus

NYS Department of Health
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

Business Resources

NEW (as of 5/26) - New York Forward Loan Fund for Small Businesses
https://esd.ny.gov/economic-recovery-covid-19-loans-small-businesses

NEW (as of 5/26) - Creating The Best Future For Your Business After COVID-19

https://iconicit.com/covid-19/creating-the-best-future-for-your-small-to-medium-sized-business-after-covid19/

Empire State Development Resources
https://esd.ny.gov/esd-covid-19-related-resources

Includes FAQs for businesses, resources for travelers and guidance for public spaces.

Guidance on determining whether a business enterprise is subject to workforce reduction and essential vs. non-essential businesses. https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
Business reopening safety template - https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYS_BusinessReopeningSafetyPlanTemplate.pdf
Business reopening lookup tool - https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/nyforward

U.S. Small Business Administration
New York State’s Disaster Declaration was approved by the SBA. New York State is now recognized as a disaster area for COVID-19.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

U.S. Department of Labor
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
https://greaterrochesterchamber.com/coronavirus-planning-resources-for-business

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/coronavirus-employee-management

Causewave Community Partners - Assistance for Nonprofits
Causewave is offering free virtual consultations for any nonprofit in the Greater Rochester area to help with their COVID-19 planning and response.
https://www.causewave.org/free-help-for-nonprofits-responding-to-covid-19

Monroe County Workforce Development

Monroe County has many resources available include virtual job fair, job listing, training and more.

https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?e=&u=4001096d04546133fb397aee6&id=9f69c1a902

Industry Resources

Knowland Resources for Hotel Group Business
https://www.knowland.com/resources/covid-19-hotel-resources/

National Restaurant Association
https://restaurant.org/covid19

NYS Restaurant Association
https://www.nysra.org/

New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA)
https://www.nystia.org/memberships/nystia-covid-19-toolkit

New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association (NYSHTA)
https://www.nyshta.org/

Traveler Resources

I LOVE NY
https://www.iloveny.com/travel-tools/coronavirus-resources-for-travelers/

U.S. Travel Association
https://www.ustravel.org/toolkit/emergency-preparedness-and-response-coronavirus-covid-19

Community Assistance Programs

United Way Community Crisis Fund
United Way and Rochester Area Community Foundation have partnered on a centralized funding pool to rapidly deploy flexible resources to nonprofits that are disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the economic consequences of the outbreak, community and organizational recovery, and future community emergencies.
https://www.uwrochester.org/Our-Work/Innovation-Grants/Crisis-Response

United Way Community Needs Portal
Community Needs Portal: The United Way of Greater Rochester has created a dashboard where you can easily view the needs of organizations in our region working with communities who are impacted by COVID-19. View and access the portal here.

Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap?fbclid=IwAR0EhE7j87z4J1iLtoLjCnKjwEE6Mu_zf4v7L6OMRF8M2gD1wr4Gb6mj54Y

Restaurants offering Takeout/Delivery
http://www.visitrochester.com/blog/post/rochester-takeout-curbside/