Following her announcement of a broad COVID-19 masks mandate for New York companies efficient December 13, 2021, Well being Commissioner Mary Bassett has revealed an order and often requested questions clarifying sure points.
Beneath the brand new requirement, masks have to be worn in all indoor public areas always. It doesn’t apply if the enterprise has a vaccination coverage that requires proof of vaccination as a situation of entry contained in the enterprise.
Areas Coated
“Indoor public place” is outlined as any indoor area that isn’t a non-public residence, together with, however not restricted to, leisure venues, leisure areas, workplace buildings, enterprise shops, homes of worship, and customary areas in residential buildings.
Companies or venues that host non-public occasions are nonetheless required to implement the masks mandate or have a vaccine requirement. For meals service companies with outside eating areas which have at the least two open sides for airflow, masks carrying will not be required, however strongly beneficial.
Companies that function beneath the “Key to NYC” necessities, which at the moment permits entry for patrons with one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, should require masks to be worn by all people or implement a two-dose vaccination requirement. Nonetheless, institutions lined by “Key to NYC” shall be required to permit entry solely to these with two doses (or one dose of a single-dose vaccine) as of December 27.
The Order reiterates present masks necessities for all public transportation, nursing houses, healthcare, childcare, and different delicate settings.
People Required to Put on Masks
Topic to the vaccination coverage exception famous above, people lined beneath this masks mandate embrace all workers, patrons, guests, and visitors to the enterprise or venue. This is applicable to any particular person previous their second birthday and medically in a position to tolerate a face masking, no matter their vaccination standing.
The place the character of a enterprise’s providers requires removing of the masks, patrons could achieve this for the temporary period of time essential to carry out the providers or to eat and drink.
Enforcement
Native well being departments can implement this mandate. People, companies, and venues that violate this mandate and the associated steering are topic to a most high quality of $1,000 per violation.
New York Metropolis employers await steering on the brand new native vaccination mandate that’s due to enter impact on December 27. This steering is anticipated on December 15.
Jackson Lewis P.C. © 2021Nationwide Regulation Assessment, Quantity XI, Quantity 348