New York City's health department is delivering lube and condoms to people's doorsteps

• New York City health officials postponed its free condom distribution program and closed seven sexual health clinics due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• But officials said it's still important for New Yorkers to practice safe sex, so they created a free condom and lube delivery service.
• Residents of the five boroughs can order condoms and lube online and have them mailed to their doorsteps.

The coronavirus pandemic has made it harder for New Yorkers to get free condoms for safe sex, and health officials are not OK with the lack of access.

Before the pandemic, New Yorkers could get free condoms and lube from the more than 3,500 non-profit organizations where the health department distributes these products in New York City. Residents could also go to nine sexual health clinics in the city for STI tests and treatment and birth control.

To protect people's health and limit coronavirus transmission in recent months, the health department postponed the condom program and closed seven of its clinics. To bridge the gap, officials announced a new home-delivery service on June 9.

"We are committed to protecting the health and safety of New Yorkers, and that includes their sexual health," Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot said in a release. "As we adapt to living in the time of COVID-19, we must find alternative solutions to maintaining public health support for all New Yorkers."

The service, called Door 2 Door, will let New Yorkers order condoms, lube, and HIV tests online for free. They can choose from all kinds of condoms, including ones with New York-themed packaging, ribbed condoms, extra strong condoms, and hyperthin condoms. Individual packets of lube are also available for order.

According to the health department, every product ordered comes with 30 condoms or 30 packets of lube, and is mailed in "discreetly packaged envelopes."

There are some rules that go along with the service. Every customer can only place an order every 30 days, and every order is limited to two product choices.

The health department also has a map on its website that people can use to locate nearby brick-and-mortar locations that sell condoms and lube.

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