In the latest sign that New York is exiting the Covid-19 pandemic, the state will adopt the CDC’s “Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People” for most business and public settings. New York State will be revising the following reopening guidelines to take effect on May 19.
Business Mask Rules:
In most settings, vaccinated individuals will not be required to wear a mask. Unvaccinated individuals, under both CDC and state guidance must wear masks in all public settings. The Department of Health strongly recommends masks in indoor settings where vaccination status of individuals is unknown. Mask requirements by businesses must adhere to all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
This recommendation will apply across commercial settings, including retail, food services, offices, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services, among other settings.
Business Capacity Rules:
Most business capacities, which are currently based upon percentage of maximum occupancy, will be removed on May 19. Businesses will only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of patrons to maintain the required social distance of 6 feet. If all patrons present proof of vaccination, the 6-foot rule may be eliminated.
Pre-K to 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, prisons, nursing homes, and healthcare settings will continue to follow State’s existing Covid-19 health guidelines until more New Yorkers are fully vaccinated. Individual private venues still can add additional guidelines to the state guidelines and the CDC guidelines.
Also good news for New York sports fans as the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets will have fully vaccinated fan sections of over 50 percent which will increase capacity at their 2021 NBA home playoff games at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center.
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