Skip to content

Back to Our Blog

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

8.27.21 Advocacy Alert: SCOTUS Tosses Federal Eviction Moratorium

By growthzone | August 27, 2021

Last night, the Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration’s latest eviction moratorium. In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled that Biden and the CDC do not have legal authority to issue the moratorium without a specific act of Congress.

8.26.21 Advocacy Alert: Hotel & Commercial Conversion Bill Signed Into Law

By growthzone | August 26, 2021

In the final days of his tenure, Governor Cuomo signed the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA) into law. The law aims to convert “distressed” hotels and commercial properties into affordable housing options.

8.24.21 Advocacy Alert: Hochul Takes Oath; BNP Suggests Priorities for First 100 Days

By growthzone | August 24, 2021

Today, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was sworn in as Governor of the State of New York. The Buffalonian takes the reins after Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned, amid a storm of bipartisan criticism. Hochul will be the state’s 57th Governor and the first woman to hold the office.

8.10.21 Advocacy Alert: Cuomo Resigns, Hochul to Assume Office

By growthzone | August 10, 2021

This afternoon, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his impending resignation, effective in 14 days.

Cuomo’s resignation comes after the Attorney General’s report that detailed sexual assault and harassment allegations from eleven women. After the report, Cuomo received nearly unanimous calls to resign from lawmakers and Democratic party officials. The Assembly Judiciary Committee was also in the process of conducting an impeachment investigation.