A message to our customers

Visit Buffalo Niagara continues to monitor public health advisories, policies and protocols in an effort to ensure visitors’ health and well-being — your safety is our community’s highest priority! Many of the socially-distanced diversions, virtual experiences and self-guided walking tours listed here can still be enjoyed if you’re not ready to resume in-person and group activities.

We’re ready to welcome you back whenever you are ready to start traveling again. Be well and stay healthy!

— Your Friends in Buffalo

On November 9, Governor Cuomo announced the Cluster Action Initiative to address the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases in Erie County.

Beginning November 9, any municipality identified as a microcluster will be identified as being in a Red Zone (highest restrictions); Orange Zone (warning zone); and Yellow Zone (precautionary zone).

The following towns in Erie County have been identified as Orange:

• Amherst
• Aurora
• Buffalo
• Cheektowaga
• Clarence
• Elma
• Grand Island
• Hamburg
• Lackawanna
• Lancaster
• Orchard Park
• Tonawanda
• West Seneca

All schools within an orange zone are now remote-learning only. Restaurants are closed to indoor dining; outdoor dining (maximum 4 people per table) and take out are acceptable. All high-risk,non-essential businesses (for example, gyms, fitness centers, barber shops, hair salons, personal care services, etc.) are closed.  The list of restrictions for orange zones may be found here.

All other towns within the county are now identified as yellow.

For information on how microcluster zones are established, go here.

Note: When a municipality has not been recognized in any of the microcluster zones, there are still restrictions based on the type of activity.  These restrictions are based on criteria set forth by New York Forward. 

This information has been gathered from NY Forward and is updated as the state updates its metrics. Please keep in mind that even though a business has been cleared to reopen, that business may have chosen to remain closed. Further, certain businesses such as attractions and restaurants may require the purchase of tickets or reservations in advance of your visit. It is best to call ahead or check the business website for accurate and complete information.

Mandatory Quarantine Information (November 2) for out of state travel (incoming and outgoing):Governor Andrew Cuomo announced new rules for the state’s travel quarantine restrictions on October 31, 2020.

For anyone coming to New York (except for neighboring states Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), you must be tested within three days of your arrival and your test results must be negative.  Upon arrival, you will quarantine for three days, and take a test on the fourth day.  If you test positive, you must remain in quarantine.  If negative, you can end quarantine.  If you choose not to get tested prior to your arrival in New York, you must remain in quarantine for 14 days.

Enforcement of this new travel rule will be done by the Erie County Department of Health.

This new mandate also applies to any New Yorker who travels outside the state, upon their return.

Additional guidance on these restrictions from the NYS Department of Health may be found here.

In order to limit the further spread of coronavirus, the U.S. has reached agreements with both Canada and Mexico to close all borders to non-essential travel through December 21, 2020.