NEW YORK - Starting Wednesday, all subway stations across the city will close between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. for the duration of the pandemic.

The MTA says the move is unprecedented but also necessary to clean and disinfect every subway car in its fleet daily.

The agency says this is not possible if the system is running around the clock. 

It's also becoming a haven for homeless New Yorkers who will be removed from the system with the help of social workers and the NYPD.

The cleaning will be a 24/7 operation, with 500 extra cleaners at terminals and yards overnight.

The MTA will be testing new disinfectants, some even claim to eradicate the virus for up to 90 days. 

The plan will rely heavily on the MTA’s own bus system, which will see more than 1,100 extra trips and more than 300 extra buses on the road.

Some essential workers riding the subway overnight are allowed to use a single door-to-door taxi and for-hire car service trip. 

It's for those overnight commuters whose bus trips would be longer than an hour and a half, or require three or more transfers. 

Riders can get information and fill out a travel questionnaire at mta.info/overnight.