As we move towards year-end, now is an opportune time for businesses to review their policies to ensure compliance with recent changes in state employment laws and guidance. This Employment Alert provides a brief overview of the recent and pending changes to the laws and regulations applicable to New York employers.
As the COVID-19 pandemic shifts into a new phase, the rules and regulations surrounding the virus and the workplace continue to evolve. This Employment Alert provides a brief overview of the recent changes to the rules and regulations applicable to New York employers.
On February 15, 2022, the New York State Department of Health announced that COVID-19 will continue to be designated as “a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health” under the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (“HERO Act”).
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.
Continue Reading New York Ends Indoor Mask Mandate for Businesses
On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of the implementation and enforcement of the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard, published on November 5, 2021 (86 Fed. Reg. 61402) (“ETS”). This means that the January 10, 2022 and February 9, 2022 deadlines for implementation of the ETS for employers with 100 or more employees are stayed pending further judicial action.
Continue Reading Supreme Court Blocks The Large Employer Vaccine Mandate
On January 4, 2022, the New York State Department of Health (“DOH”) issued Interim Updated Isolation & Quarantine Guidance amending the quarantine and isolation periods for individuals who are symptomatic, test positive, or are exposed to COVID-19. The DOH has expressly stated that this new guidance is interim guidance and additional requirements may be added. Nevertheless, employers should immediately review their current COVID-19 policies and procedures and make all necessary changes to ensure they reflect this new guidance.
Continue Reading New York Updates Quarantine and Isolation Guidance