Governor Kathy Hochul lifted the indoor mask mandate in New York, which required businesses to ask for proof of full vaccination or require masks indoors at all times. This became effective February 10th and reflected the continued decline of the Omicron variant. The Governor left in place a mask requirement in schools until March when the situation will be assessed.

As a result of the announcement, localities and businesses are no longer required to enforce mask wearing or ask for proof of vaccination, but they are still free to do so if they so wish. Certain local, federal and other requirements around masking in specific settings are still in effect. These include the following:

• All health care settings regulated by the Department of Health and other related state agencies  continue to require masks.
• Masks are required in nursing homes, adult care facilities, correctional facilities, detention centers, homeless shelters, and domestic violence shelters in accordance with federal regulations.
• Masks are required on public transit and transportation hubs, trains, planes and airports in accordance with federal and New York City regulations, which includes taxis and car services.
• New York City’s Health Department requires restaurants, entertainment venues and gyms to ask for proof of vaccination in accordance with New York City’s Health Department regulations. Anyone who is 5 and older must show proof that they have received the two-dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the one-dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

We will continue to monitor developments as they become available. Should you have any questions about how this affects your business, please contact ALG.