8.2.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Cuomo Makes Recommendations on Vaccination Efforts
Blog Categories
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
State Releases HERO Act Safety Standards
Today, the New York State Department of Labor published its Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention standards as mandated by the NY HERO Act. These exposure controls apply during a disease outbreak as designated by the Commissioner of Health. Governor Cuomo lifted the COVID-19 state of emergency on June 24, so no designation is in effect at this time.
7.1.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Where are we on Infrastructure?
As we enter July – Senator Schumer’s target finish line for the infrastructure package – many details remain in the air. President Biden recently joined a bipartisan coalition of Senators to announce a deal had been reached on infrastructure. But, until the ink is dry and the votes are cast, debate is far from over.
6.24.21 Webisode: What Employers Need to Know About the NY HERO Act – #1
The NY HERO Act creates 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.
6.21.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Poloncarz Announces ARP Spending Plan
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced today his plan to invest the county’s share of local aid from the latest COVID-19 relief package.
The American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus plan signed by President Biden in March, provided $178 million to Erie County.
Poloncarz said the county’s “RENEW Plan” will invest $123.7 million in: