Last Updated on May 27, 2021 by Lawrence Berezin
Source: Vogue
Nurses are on the front lines of our battle against COVID-19
Dozens of nurses and other healthcare workers got parking tickets while treating COVID-19 patients at NYC hospitals, despite being among the 14,000 healthcare workers who were issued special COVID-19 parking permits. These permits eased parking restrictions for healthcare workers who were unable to take public transportation to the hospitals.
7 On Your Side appealed to de Blasio after learning dozens of nurses with parking permits had been issued thousands in fines for parking in temporary bus lanes. After 7 On Your Side advocated, de Blasio came to the nurses’ aid.
Last week the mayor announced that the city would dismiss all of these tickets, provided nurses dispute/appeal them to the New York City Department of Transportation.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced exclusively to Eyewitness News that he will be extending expiring parking permits issued to 14,000 nurses and other medical professionals until the end of the year.
The permits, described as an “essential lifeline” by nurses who are treating COVID-19 patients and can’t take public transportation, were set to expire this Friday, July 31.
But de Blasio now says all COVID-19 permits issued to medical professionals will remain valid an additional five months, until December 31, 2020.
Special COVID-19 Parking Permits
The City issued temporary citywide on-street parking permits to health care workers in City hospitals. Each hospital received a set number of permits and completed distribution in March and April.
This permit should only be used for medical employment purposes.
Learn where a permit holder may park with a COVID-19 permit.
Parking permits for health care workers fighting COVID-19 that expire on July 31, 2020, have been extended through December 31, 2020.
New York City Covid-19 Parking Permit Privileges
Where can I park with the permit?
Any metered parking space (Passenger or Commercial) without charge.
Any “No Parking” space
Any sign indicating street cleaning regulations (sign with a broom symbol).
In any space designated “Truck Loading Only.”
Exceptions: Please read these signs carefully, as permit holders may only park during the days and
times trucks can park. For example, if a sign says “Truck Loading Only 10 am-3 pm” Permit holders
may only park during those times.
Where can I not park with the permit?
Spaces designated for ambulances and ambulettes.
No Stopping Zones, No Standing Zones, School Days Zones, general No Standing Zones with
restricted hours (e.g. “No Standing between 4-7 PM”), or Hotel Loading Zones.
Fire Zones, Bus Stops, Taxi stands, driveways, crosswalks, or sidewalks.
Bus lanes (when active as per signage) or Bicycle lanes.
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Any space designated for use by Authorized Vehicles, including Diplomats (DPL), New York Press
(NYP), or any Governmental Agency.
Garment District truck loading area defined as crosstown Streets from West 35
through West 41st
Streets, between 6th and 8th Avenues.
Spaces in NYCDOT municipal parking fields that are designated for a paid quarterly parking permit
holders.
Areas where the NYPD and/or the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment have reserved
parking spaces for a film or TV shoot.
Streets that NYPD has closed off for parades, street fairs, and similar events.
In spaces reserved for car share vehicles.
You may not double park or obstruct any traffic lanes.
Note: Your permit is to be us
Commentary
Great move by Mayor DiBasio.
But, what if nurses and healthcare workers with these special COVID-19 permits continue to park in areas that the permits do not cover. In other words, the parking zone where parking is still restricted? Do you think the nurses should be issued parking tickets?
Omicron is taking over and our healthcare workers did not receive an extension on the COVID-19 Parking Permit. Yet, the restaurants still have booths taking up the parking spaces. How are they supposed to the heroes for 12 hours or more when parking is a concern?
Hi Man Wan,
Good afternoon.
Thanks for your important comment.
Very sad state of affairs and upsidedown priorities.
We expect so much of our healthcare workers and give them so little consideration in return.
Regards,
Larry