Skip to content

Back to Our Blog

11.23.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Erie DOH Releases Details on New Mask Mandates

Blog Categories

November 23, 2021

Erie County Health Commissioner Gale Burstein just released a detailed order with new pandemic protocols, clarifying the County Executive’s announcement yesterday. 

Anyone over two (2) must wear a mask in all indoor public settings, regardless of their vaccination status. Any indoor employees must wear a mask when interacting with patrons. Anyone using public transit or other for-hire vehicles must wear a mask.  

The most notable detail: businesses that mandate proof of vaccination for entry do not have to force patrons to mask. So, businesses can be exempt from the mask mandate if they choose to mandate vaccination.  

Yesterday, County Executive Poloncarz pledged to mandate vaccination for entry into public places if the mask mandate fails to improve case and hospitalization numbers.  

The BNP will continue to keep you informed as this situation unfolds.  

The full text of the ECDOH order can be found here. Poloncarz’s announcement is summarized here 

Related Posts

5.26.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program

By growthzone | May 26, 2021

As you know, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership successfully advocated for the inclusion of small business recovery grants in this year’s state budget.

Through this fund, employers can access grants to help finance:

What Employers Need to Know About the HERO Act

By growthzone | May 24, 2021

Recently, Governor Cuomo signed the NY HERO Act, a bill that creates new workplace safety requirements. This legislation will have wide-ranging implications for employers across the state. The BNP strongly advocated for changes to make this legislation less burdensome.

5.19.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: NYS Releases Updated Mask Guidance for Employers

By growthzone | May 19, 2021

As we told you earlier this week, beginning today, New York State adopted CDC public health guidance for fully vaccinated New Yorkers. The new guidance gives employers the choice of adopting the new CDC guidance or maintaining mask/face covering and social distancing policies for both employees and customers.

Senate to Consider Innovation & Competition Act

By growthzone | May 19, 2021

The U.S. Senate has begun formal consideration of the U.S. Innovation & Competition Act (S. 1260), previously known as the Endless Frontier Act. This bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, recently passed the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and a floor vote is expected by the end of May.