COVID-19 Mitigation Measures
We look forward to welcoming you to the United Nations! Your health and safety and that of our staff are our top priorities. UN Headquarters is following guidelines issued by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), New York State, and New York City for increased health and safety procedures.
Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required for entry to the United Nations premises. All visitors are required to wear a mask during the Guided Tour.
Proof of vaccination may include:
- CDC Vaccination Card (or photo)
- NYC COVID Safe app
- New York State Excelsior Pass
- NYC Vaccination Record
- An official immunization record from outside NYC or the U.S.
Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
At this point, access is only allowed for visitors with an existing guided tour reservation. Walk-ins are not permitted at present.
Staying Safe
- We require that all visitors follow the guidelines outlined below. By visiting in person, you agree to abide by these policies. The United Nations reserves the right to ask visitors who do not follow these guidelines to leave the premises:
- Please stay home if you are feeling sick.
- You must wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth for the duration of your guided tour.
- Please follow the instructions of UN Security and Visitors Services staff.
- An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. We cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed to COVID-19 during your visit to UN Headquarters. Those visiting UN Headquarters do so at their own risk of such exposure.
- If you are unable to visit us in person, please see visit our home website for more information on the wide range of virtual resources, activities, and programmes that you can enjoy from anywhere.
Please continue to check our website for regular updates, and follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook
Arrival Procedures
Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required for entry to the United Nations premises. All visitors are required to wear a mask during the Guided Tour.
All visitors 18 years and older (and unaccompanied children 12 years and older) are required to present a valid government-issued photo identification issued by a Member State or a Non-Member Observer State of the United Nations to enter UN Headquarters. The photo identification must be original (no photographs or photocopies accepted), in Latin/Roman characters, and may include:
- Passport
- Driver's license
- National identity card
- IDNYC Card
All visitors to United Nations Headquarters require a UN security pass to enter the United Nations building. This security pass must be obtained at the Visitor Check-in Office.
- To access the UN Headquarters, please make sure to bring a printout of your ticket confirmation, the electronic ticket visible on your mobile, or a screenshot of the ticket.
- Start your visit at the Visitor Check-in Office (801 1st Avenue at 45th Street, across the street from the UN Visitors Entrance). Plan to arrive 60 minutes before your tour. After receiving your security pass/wrist band, proceed across the street to the United Nations Visitors Entrance (46th Street and 1st Avenue) for security screening and access to UN Headquarters.
- We're dedicated to providing a positive experience for all customers. Please email us toursunhq@un.org if you have a hearing, vision, cognitive or developmental disability before coming to the UN.
Screening
- All visitors to United Nations Headquarters must go through security screening (airport-style). To speed up the process, please remove hats, sunglasses, belts, scarves, jackets, etc. prior to screening. Please note that cell phone use and photography in the screening facility are not permitted.
- If you are taking a tour, after screening, please proceed into the General Assembly building and walk to the Cashier desk locted at the back of the Lobby to to check in for your tour before visiting the exhibits or browsing the shops and café in the lower Concourse.
On-site Health and Safety
What (Not) to Bring
Please remember to bring your official government-issued photo I.D. and proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 vaccination is required for entry to the United Nations premises. All visitors are required to wear a face mask that covers nose and mouth during the Guided Tour.
- The following items are strictly prohibited:
- Any liquid, including water
- Cans and bottles
- Food or beverages
- Backpacks and bags larger than 14" (35 cm) wide x 13" (33 cm) high x 4" (10 cm) deep
- Scooters, skateboards, bicycles
- Aerosol containers and non-aerosol spray (prescriptions for medical needs are permitted)
- Any pointed object other than pens and pencils (i.e., knives, knitting needles, letter openers, razors, etc.)
- Electric stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices
- Guns, replica guns, ammunition, fireworks, mace or pepper spray
- As of 3 June 2019, the United Nations is a single-use plastic free zone. Please do not bring single-use plastic onto United Nations Headquarters premises.
- The following items are allowed:
- Battery-operated electronic devices, as well as medical devices
- Cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device
- Creams, lotions or perfumes
- Strollers (not permitted on the tour route)
Please note that there are no bag or coat check facilities available at UNHQ.
Rules while Visiting
- So that UN Headquarters can safely remain open, we require that all visitors follow the guidelines outlined below. By visiting in person, you agree to abide by these polices. The United Nations reserves the right to ask visitors who do not follow these guidelines to leave the premises.
- Please stay home if you are feeling sick.
- You must wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth for the duration of your guided tour.
- Please follow the instructions of UN Security and Visitors Services staff. Failure to abide by these guidelines may result in you being asked to leave the premises.
- The United Nations Headquarters is a workplace: Delegates hold their meetings in the Chambers where visitors enter on tour and pass by the corridors that the guided tours also use. Visitors are reminded to behave appropriately, to keep noise levels down, and to dress in a way that respects the professional working environment of the United Nations (no flip flops or bare feet, no offensive slogans, etc.).
- United Nations Security reserves the right to deny entry or remove from the premises anyone not behaving or dressed appropriately. The United Nations Headquarters is accessible for disabled visitors and persons with limited mobility. Visitors may request the use of a wheelchair when checking in.