New York Designates COVID-19 as an Airborne Infectious Disease Triggering HERO Act Safety Plan Requirements for Employers
The New York Health and Essential Rights Act (“HERO Act”), which was enacted on May 5, 2021, mandated new workplace health and safety protections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. One section of the law requires employers to implement an airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plan (“Plan”) based on the model plan provided by the […]
New York State Expands Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Personnel
On August 26, 2021, the New York State Department of Health’s Public Health and Health Planning Council (“PHHPC”) approved an emergency regulation mandating COVID-19 vaccination of staff in hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic and treatment centers (D&TCs), adult care facilities (ACFs), licensed home care services agencies (LHCSAs), certified home health agencies (CHHAs) and hospices (collectively referred […]
New York City to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine for Certain Indoor Activities
New York City Mayor DeBlasio has announced that New York City will become the first major U.S. city to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination at restaurants, gyms and other businesses. The “Key to NYC Pass” is the approach the City is taking that will require proof of at least one dose of vaccination for workers […]
CDC Issues New COVID-19 Recommendations and What it Means for Employers
On July 27, 2021, the U.S. Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) issued updated COVID-19 guidance given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant currently circulating in the United States. The CDC now recommends that fully vaccinated people wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission. […]
Department of Labor Publishes Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Standard and a Model Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan
As previously reported, the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (“HERO Act”), which was enacted on May 5, 2021, mandated new workplace health and safety protections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. One section of the law requires employers to implement an airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plan based on the model plan provided […]
OSHA Issues Updated Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace
On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) released an Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) that outlines new requirements for healthcare settings. In addition, OSHA issued updated guidance for non-healthcare employers regarding protocols for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 among unvaccinated or at-risk employees in the workplace. We have summarized the pertinent portions […]