As of June 24, 2021, New York ended the State Disaster Emergency declared on March 7, 2020. In doing so, Governor Cuomo noted that CDC guidance will remain in effect, which includes masks for unvaccinated individuals, as well as all riders on public transit and in certain settings, such as healthcare, nursing homes, correctional facilities and homeless shelters. State and local health departments will be ensuring that mask rules and other health precautions are adhered to in those settings.
The State of Emergency declaration allowed the Governor to issue executive orders to assist in the rapid response to the pandemic by state agencies, local governments, hospitals and businesses by both suspending or modifying laws as well as utilizing temporary directives.
At this time, it is unclear what the implications of the ending of the State of Emergency will mean and if all suspensions and modifications are immediately lifted or if there will be exceptions or staggered end dates based on previous executive order extensions. Additional guidance from the state will likely be needed and what form this guidance will take is currently unknown.
HR Works will continue to monitor this topic and provide updates as new information becomes available.
