On February 9, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that beginning on Thursday, February 10, 2022, indoor businesses are no longer required to ensure that all entrants are vaccinated or that they wear face masks. This announcement effectively ends the mask mandate put in place in December 2021.
For more information regarding New York’s previous vaccination or mask mandate, please see our prior article “New COVID-19 Vaccine or Masking Requirements for New York Businesses.” The Governor stated that localities and businesses may still enforce their own mask mandates in their jurisdictions or workplaces, as applicable.
This announcement by Governor Hochul does not apply to schools, childcare centers, state-regulated health care settings, state-regulated adult care facilities and nursing homes, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, buses, bus stations, trains, train stations, subways, subway stations, planes and airports.
Masks will still be required at these locations until otherwise announced by New York State.
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we will continue to keep you informed about important changes impacting employers.