Skip to content

Back to Our Blog

8.2.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Cuomo Makes Recommendations on Vaccination Efforts

Blog Categories

Josh Veronica

August 2, 2021

Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo made recommendations on efforts to increase vaccination rates, noting rising case numbers and concerns about the Delta variant. Since the Governor’s pandemic emergency powers have expired, the Governor urged local governments and private employers to take matters into their own hands.

Governor Cuomo encouraged private employers to adopt vaccinated-only admission policies to their establishments. At this time, this is not a legal mandate: the Governor believes that this optional, grassroots enforcement style may serve as a powerful incentive for vaccination.

He suggested that public-facing high-risk employees should be mandated by their employers to get the vaccine, pointing out that he imposed this requirement for state-run hospital workers.

Cuomo would like to see a requirement for other public-facing workers to either show proof of vaccination or undergo regular testing. He announced that MTA and Port Authority employees will now have a vaccine or test requirement.

Moving forward, Cuomo plans to “watch the numbers but keep all options on the table.” If COVID-19 numbers worsen, Cuomo floated the idea of requiring nursing home workers, teachers, and private healthcare workers to be vaccinated.

The Governor also called on local governments to follow new CDC masking guidance based on transmission levels in their jurisdiction. Cuomo noted that without his emergency powers, New York could not impose a statewide mask mandate without an act of the Legislature.

The BNP will continue to keep you informed with any COVID-19 updates. For information on returning to the workplace or preparing your organization for COVID-19 vaccines, visit our COVID-19 Resources page.

*******

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is committed to providing employers with the latest information and resources to help you deal with COVID-19 and its impact on our community, state and nation. Visit our Events and Resource pages as they are updated regularly to provide you with the most current information.

Do you have specific questions related to running your business or your business unit? Visit the BNP Business Link, a question and answer forum for, and by, the Buffalo Niagara business community.  Submit your questions and get expert answers on just about any topic from legal, IT, HR, NYS regulations, sales, marketing, communications and more.  It is quick, confidential, powerful and convenient.

Related Posts

COVID-19 Bulletin: Tax Credits Available for COVID-Related Costs 

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | November 3, 2022

Small businesses can now apply for a new tax credit to help offset COVID-19 costs. The $250 million COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program will cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, for a maximum benefit of $25,000.

With Canada lifting most travel restrictions, border communities breathe sigh of relief

By communications@thepartnership.org | September 27, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) —Dottie Gallagher, president of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, said fears of random testing and possible quarantines in Ontario all worked to discourage significant aspects of the region’s integrated economy. She called the move “quite frankly, long overdue,” especially for those travelers discouraged to even try navigating requirements like ArriveCan.

Advocacy Alert

9.26.22 Advocacy Alert: Canada to Remove All Border Restrictions

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | September 26, 2022

The Public Health Agency of Canada announced it will lift all COVID-related restrictions on international travelers beginning this Saturday, October 1.

Comptroller: “Duplication” in State Workforce Efforts

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | June 2, 2022

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli recently released a report assessing the state Department of Labor’s workforce development efforts. The report found significant overlap, duplication, gaps, and fragmentation in state workforce development programs and services. The audit found that New York offers over 500 workforce development programs and services, administered