|
NYS to Adopt New CDC Guidance on Mask Use and Social
Distancing for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
Published: May 17, 2021 at 05:30 p.m.
By: Press Release from Governor Cuomo’s Office
Governor Cuomo Announces New York State to Adopt New
CDC Guidance on Mask Use and Social Distancing for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
Effective May 19,
New York Adopts CDC's "Interim
Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People" for
Most Businesses and Public Settings
Pre-K to 12
Schools, Public Transit, Homeless Shelters, Correctional
Facilities, Nursing Homes, and Healthcare Settings will be
Exempt Until More New Yorkers are Fully Vaccinated
Governor Andrew
M. Cuomo today announced that beginning May 19, New York State will adopt
the CDC's "Interim Public
Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People" for most
business and public settings. Consistent with the CDC guidance, Pre-K to 12
schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional
facilities, nursing homes, and healthcare settings will continue to
follow State's existing COVID-19 health guidelines until more New Yorkers
are fully vaccinated.
"New Yorkers
have worked hard over the last year to prevent the spread of COVID and keep
each other safe," Governor Cuomo said. "That work has paid off
and we are ecstatic to take this next step in the reopening of our
beautiful state. The people of New York and visitors alike should take
solace in the lifting of mask requirements, but be
respectful of those who may still feel safest wearing their mask in public
and business owners who may still ask patrons to don their mask. We are
ever closer to our better, safer New York. We are New York tough and we have proven it."
To implement the
CDC's guidance, New York State will be revising the following reopening
guidelines to take effect on May 19:
Business Mask
Rules
Given that the
CDC has advised that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks
and over 52 percent of New Yorkers over the age of 18 are fully vaccinated,
the State will authorize businesses to continue to require masks for all in
their establishments, consistent with the CDC guidance. In most settings,
vaccinated individuals will not be required to wear a mask. Unvaccinated
individuals, under both CDC and state guidance must wear masks in all
public settings.
The Department of
Health strongly recommends masks in indoor settings where vaccination
status of individuals is unknown. Mask requirements by businesses must
adhere to all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
This
recommendation will apply across commercial settings, including retail,
food services, offices, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family
entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services,
among other settings.
Business Capacity
Rules
As previously
announced, most business capacities — which are currently based
upon percentage of maximum occupancy — will be removed on May 19.
Businesses will only be limited by the space available for patrons or
parties of patrons to maintain the required social distance of 6 feet.
However, given
that the CDC has advised that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to
maintain social distance, businesses may eliminate the 6 feet of required
social distancing, and therefore increase capacity, only if all patrons
within the establishment -- or a separate designated part of the
establishment -- present proof of full vaccination status. Proof of full
vaccination status can be provided by patrons through paper form, digital
application, or the State's Excelsior Pass.
For areas where
vaccination status of individuals is unknown and for patrons who do not
present proof of full vaccination status, the required social distance of 6
feet still applies until more New Yorkers are fully vaccinated. This change
will apply across all commercial settings, except the exempt settings
outlined by the CDC.
Small- and
Large-Scale Event Rules
Small-scale
events will be able to apply the revised business mask and capacity rules.
Specifically, for events below the State's social gathering limit of 250
indoors or 500 outdoors, event venues will be able to require masks for all
patrons -- and DOH strongly recommends masks in indoor settings where
vaccination status is unknown -- and social distancing of 6 feet will be
required between parties of attendees, unless all attendees present proof
of full vaccination status. Unvaccinated people should still wear masks.
For large-scale
events that exceed the State's social gathering limits, event venues will
only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of patrons to
maintain the required distance, as follows:
·
Unvaccinated attendees and attendees who have an
unknown vaccination status must be spaced 6 feet apart in assigned
sections. Masks will be required in indoor event settings, except while
seated and eating or drinking.
·
Fully vaccinated attendees may be spaced directly
next to one another at 100 percent capacity instead of 6 feet apart in
assigned sections that are designated solely for fully vaccinated
individuals. Masks are optional. Venues must verify vaccination status to
take advantage of reduced social distancing requirements.
o Children under
the age of 12 who are not yet vaccine eligible, and under the age of 16 who
have not yet been able to be vaccinated, may accompany
and be seated with a vaccinated adult in a fully vaccinated section.
§ Proof of full
vaccination status can be provided by attendees through paper form, digital
application, or the State's Excelsior Pass.
For large-scale
events, proof of recent negative COVID-19 test result for attendees who are
over the age of four remains required for unvaccinated attendees in indoor
event settings above the State's social gathering limit but will become
optional in outdoor event settings.
Today's
announcement builds on Governor Cuomo's recent measures to further reopen
the economy given significant progress in vaccinations and sustained
reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. As of yesterday, 62
percent of New York's adults had received at least one vaccine dose and 52
percent had completed their vaccine series.
Additional
details on the State's New York Forward reopening guidance updates will be
available here.
|
