6.15.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: NYS Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions
Blog Categories
June 15, 2021
NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today the immediate lifting of COVID-19-related restrictions as 70% of the state’s adult population has been vaccinated (receiving at least one dose of vaccine). The 70 percent threshold is a national standard.
Effective immediately, state-mandated COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in both commercial and social settings including the following industries/businesses:
- Agriculture
- Amusement & Family Entertainment
- Camps
- Child Care
- Construction
- Fishing
- Forestry
- Food Services
- Gyms
- Manufacturing
- Movie Theaters
- Offices/Buildings
- Personal Care Services
- Real Estate
- Retail (including malls)
- Sports & Recreation
- Trade
Lifted restrictions include:
- Social gathering limits
- Capacity restrictions
- Social distancing
- Health screening
- Cleaning and disinfection protocols
- Contact information for contract tracing
In anticipation of reaching 70 percent, the Governor previously announced that unvaccinated individuals will still be responsible for maintaining proper social distancing of six feet and wearing a mask as per federal CDC guidance. Today, the Governor stressed that per CDC guidelines, mask requirements will remain in place for pre-K through 12 schools, public transit, and healthcare settings regardless of vaccination status.
Private employers can choose to continue to follow COVID-19 restrictions or establish other health precautions for both employees and customers including requiring masks and social distancing.
The Governor’s message today does conflict with the HERO Act he recently signed into law creating new workplace safety standards that every private employer in New York will have to follow. These standards govern a wide variety of topics, including health screening, masks and PPE, handwashing, surface disinfecting, social distancing, quarantines, and ventilation. The BNP will be working to gain clarity for employers and encourages you to attend our upcoming event focused on complying with the HERO Act on June 24.
*******
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
Election night wrap-up: Who won and what it means for Buffalo Niagara
Buffalo Niagara voters made their voices heard on Nov. 4 in a series of key local races. Based on unofficial vote tallies, here’s a look at who won and what’s next for our region’s leadership, courtesy of Buffalo Niagara Partnership Director of Government Affairs Josh Veronica.
Inside the room: What lawmakers told employers at BNP’s 2025 Policy Perspective
The BNP hosted Policy Perspective, a piece of the BNP’s annual Government Affairs series. The standing-room-only crowd heard from three of our region’s most influential lawmakers: Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Senator April Baskin, and Senator Patrick Gallivan. The lawmakers spoke on a panel moderated by BNP Director of Government Affairs Josh Veronica.
Bridging the Gap Conference Strengthens New York’s Semiconductor Supply Chain
Blog Back to Our Blog The University at Buffalo’s Bridging the Gap: Activating the Semiconductor Supply Chain Network conference connected leaders, manufacturers, and regional stakeholders for a two-day conversation on how to grow New York’s presence in the global semiconductor industry. Held July 15-16 at the UB Center for the Arts and Alfiero Center, the…
Policy focus: Power Trends Report underscores energy concerns
The New York Independent System Operator released its annual Power Trends report, which details the state of New York’s electric grid. The report’s findings are concerning and underscore the need for a more sensible approach to climate and energy policy.