With safety protocols and WELL certification in place, the Empire State Building ensures guests will be safe while having a fun, iconic New York City experience. Thanks to its decade-long commitment to Indoor Environmental Quality, the Empire State Building used science-based measures to make the Observatory and entire building as safe and as healthy as possible. The Empire State Building Observatory safely reopened to the public July 20, and on Sept. 21, became the first building to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating.

The Well Health-Safety Rating is evidence-based, third-party verified ratings for new and existing building spaces. It recognizes the Empire State Building’s outstanding performance across five metrics. The examined categories are cleaning and sanitization procedures; emergency preparedness programs; health service resources; air and water quality management; and stakeholder engagement and communications.

Visitor safety was a priority when the Observatory underwent a $165 million renovation. The refresh included MERV 13 filtration and a state-of-the-art bipolar ionization air purification system. It also enhanced the indoor experience, with a second-floor exhibit that depicts the site in the 1920s. Additional exhibits include Celebrity, Urban Campus and Kong.

Currently, capacity is reduced by more than 80 percent, offering an unmatched opportunity to experience the Observatory. Only 500 guests are allowed in the 70,000-square-foot space, well below the 25 percent capacity guideline outlined by New York. Visitor groups can separate by more than 18 feet.

Guest and safety protocols target all the ways COVID-19 can spread. Social distancing and mask use are required, along with timed ticketing, contactless temperature checks and advance reservations.

“Our work has been thorough with new training guidelines and customer service standards. We have taken measures with signage, distancing markers, hand sanitizers, and cleaning protocols to prevent the transmission of the virus,” said Jean-Yves Ghazi, president. “As leaders we have posted our complete reopening program on esbnyc.com for the public to view, both to give our guests confidence and to help guide other attractions in best practices. This WELL Health-Safety Rating confirms our continued efforts in sustainability and indoor environmental quality. The Empire State Building continues to put the safety of our visitors and employees as our top priority.”