The New York City Police Department announced on Dec. 30, a number of street closures, outlined further below, related to the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square. Street closures and parking restrictions are expected to cause traffic delays, and NYPD officials said the use of public transportation is highly recommended.

 

Beginning at 4 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, Times Square will be closed to vehicular traffic. At approximately 3 p.m. attendees will be directed by police officers to gather in separate viewing sections. When one section reaches capacity, people will be directed to the next viewing section. As the evening progresses, revelers will continue to populate Times Square along Broadway and Seventh Avenue moving uptown from 43rd Street to 57th Street. New Yorkers are reminded to take note of the following:

• Umbrellas, backpacks, lawn chairs, coolers and large bags are prohibited
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited
• Property may not be abandoned at checkpoints
• Attendees who leave before the ball drops will not be able to gain entry to their original viewing area

 

Spectator Access  

The following streets will be utilized for entry points and screening:

• 38th Street : Sixth & Eighth Avenues (for pens South of 41st Street)
• 49th Street : Sixth & Eighth Avenues
• 52nd Street : Sixth & Eighth Avenues
• 56th Street : Sixth & Eighth Avenues

 

Vaccination Policy for Times Square New Year’s Eve 

 The Times Square New Year’s Eve organizers will require proof of full vaccinations for all in-person revelers. Masks will also be made available at the entry checkpoints for those without.

• Attendees who are age 5 or over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the event. Proof of vaccination must include a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac.

• Unvaccinated minors under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult to enter the event. The vaccinated adult must present proof of a Food and Drug Administration or World Health Organization approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac. Face coverings are required for unvaccinated minors who are medically able to tolerate a face-covering.

 

Persons who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability will be required to:

• Present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours prior to the event; and
• If medically able to tolerate a face-covering, wear a mask for the entire duration of    the event

 

Note: Questions regarding this policy will be referred to the organizers. 

There will be no parking in the following areas from Friday, Dec. 31, at 12:01 a.m. until Saturday, Jan. 1, at 1 a.m.:

• All cross-town streets from 33rd to 59th Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenue
• West side of Fifth Avenue, from 37th to 52nd Streets
• West side of Sixth Avenue, from 34th to 59th Streets
• Both side of Sixth Avenue, from 37th to 52nd Streets
• Broadway between 37th to 59th Streets
• Seventh Avenue between 37th to 59th Streets
• Ninth Avenue between 41st to 43rd Streets
• Both sides of Eleventh Avenue, from 34th to 39th Streets
• Both side of Eighth Avenue from 37th to 59th Streets
• 34th Street between Eleventh to Twelfth Avenues
• 37th Street between Fifth and Eighth Avenue
• 38th Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 39th Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 40th Street between Fifth to Ninth Avenue
• 41st Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 42nd Street between First to Second Avenue
• 42nd Street between Fifth and Ninth Avenue
• 43rd Street between Fifth and Eighth Avenue
• 44th Street between Sixth to Ninth Avenue
• 45th Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 46th Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 47th Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 48th Street between Fifth and Ninth Avenue
• 49th Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 50th Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• Both sides of 51st Street from Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 52nd Street between Fifth and Eighth Avenue
• 53rd Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 54th Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 55th Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 56th Street between Sixth to Eighth Avenue
• 57th Street between Fifth to Ninth Avenue

 

At approximately 4 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, the following streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic:

• Seventh Avenue, from 42nd to 49th Streets
• Broadway, from 42nd to 49th Streets
• 43rd to 48th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenues

Note: Managed access 49th to 56th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenues

 

At approximately 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, the following streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic:

• Southbound Seventh Avenue & Broadway from 38th to 59th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenues
• 38th to 56th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenues

 

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, commercial vehicles, trucks and other large vehicles will not be able to access:

• North on Sixth Avenue from 34th to 59th Streets
• North on Eighth Avenue from 34th to 59th Streets
• East of Ninth Avenue from 37th Street to 59th Street
• West of Fifth Avenue from 35th Street to 59th Street

 

On Friday, Dec. 31, the remainder of the traffic closures will be instituted as conditions warrant:

• All cross-town streets from 37th to 56th Streets – Sixth to Eighth Avenues (approximately 11 a.m.)
• 48th Street, from Fifth to Ninth Avenues
• Cross-town access for emergency vehicles will be available on 42nd, 48th, and 59th Streets

 

People are strongly advised to use public transportation. On-street parking will be extremely limited in the Midtown area. People should avoid all cross-town streets from 34th to 59th Streets, as well as Sixth and Eighth Avenues. The Department will continue its drunk driving enforcement on New Year’s Eve through DWI patrols and checkpoints throughout the City.

 

TRANSIT INFORMATION

Beginning at 4 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, some subway access around Times Square will be closed. The following subway system changes should be noted:

• 47th Street and Broadway subway egress beginning at 4 a.m., Friday, Dec. 31, until approximately 12:15 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 1.
• 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue subway egress beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, until approximately 12:15 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 1.
• Southbound and northbound N/R/W lines will bypass the 49th Street station beginning at noon, Friday, Dec. 31, until approximately 12:15 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 1.
• The northbound IRT “#1” train will bypass the 50th Street station beginning at noon, Friday, Dec. 31, until approximately 12:15 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 1.

 

Within Times Square, emergency access lanes must remain clear and may not be obstructed at any time during the event.