State Issues Advisory on Masking in Certain Indoor Settings
The Department of Health (DOH) issued a COVID-19 Advisory on Sept. 7th regarding masking in indoor settings. The Advisory leans in a more flexible direction regarding masking in community settings by rescinding the current masking requirements in correctional facilities and detention centers, shelters (including overnight emergency shelters, day shelters, and meal service providers), and public transportation hubs and transportation conveyances. However, it states that congregate living settings continue to be at increased risk for transmission.
The document continues masking recommendations for individuals in the community with COVID-19 or exposure to it. Please note that these recommendations were recently relaxed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and now apply to individuals regardless of who is up to date or not fully vaccinated.
The Advisory continues to require masking in certain health care settings for both health care personnel and visitors:
- Healthcare settings:
a. Personnel: After careful review and consideration of CDC recommendations for face masks in healthcare settings regulated by the Department, I hereby adopt such recommendations, imposing them as requirements, where applicable. Accordingly, all personnel, regardless of vaccination status, in a healthcare setting (i.e., facilities or entities regulated under Articles 28, 36 and 40 of the Public Health Law) shall wear an appropriate face mask in accordance with applicable CDC exceptions, until this determination is modified or rescinded.
b. Visitors to Healthcare Facilities: After careful review and consideration of CDC recommendations, all visitors two years of age and older and able to medically tolerate a face covering/mask shall be required to wear a face covering/mask in health care facilities, regardless of vaccination status, subject to applicable CDC exceptions, and until this determination is modified or rescinded.
- Adult care facilities (ACFs) regulated by the Department:
a. Personnel: After careful review and consideration of the core principles for infection control to protect the health and safety of both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated residents, all ACF personnel, regardless of vaccination status, shall wear an appropriate face mask if providing direct medical care and at a minimum, a cloth face covering by other staff in such settings, in accordance with any applicable CDC exceptions, until this determination is modified or rescinded.
b. Visitors: After careful review and consideration of CDC Recommendations, all visitors, who are two years of age and older and able to medically tolerate a face covering/mask shall be required to wear a face covering/mask in such setting, subject to CDC exceptions, and until this determination is modified or rescinded.
The Advisory also continues masking for certain staff and visitors of specialty hospitals certified by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), facilities regulated by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), and clinics and hospitals under the Office of Mental Health (OMH). It also recognizes that CDC guidance recommends masking, including in schools and public indoor places, when there is a high level of community COVID-19 burden, in order to limit exposure that may lead to infection.
Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871