COVID-19 Crisis and the Informal Economy: Street Vendors in New York City, USA

COVID-19 Crisis and the Informal Economy is a WIEGO-led 12-city longitudinal study that assesses the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on specific groups of informal workers and their households. Using a survey questionnaire and in-depth interviews, Round 1 assessed the impact of the crisis in April 2020 (the period of peak restrictions) and in June 2020 (when restrictions had been eased) in comparison to February 2020 (pre-COVID-19). Round 2 will assess continuing impacts versus signs of recovery in the first half of 2021, compared to the pre-COVID-19 period and Round 1. Researchers in New York surveyed and interviewed street vendors and canners who are members of Street Vendor Project (SVP) and Sure We Can.

This report presents the summary findings for street vendors. Results for canners are presented in a separate report available here.