Long-Term Care Facilities
In an effort to protect some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, Governor Cuomo announced only medically necessary visits will be allowed at nursing homes. This policy will be effective Friday, March 13 at 5:00 PM.
The state is also asking nursing homes to set up skyping and other online communication capacity so families can tele-visit their loved ones.
Additionally, the state will require health screenings for all nursing home workers each day when they enter a facility and require them to wear surgical masks to guard against any potential asymptomatic spread.
Guidance
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DAL NH-21-04: Skilled Nursing Facility Vaccine Post Long Term Care Federal Program (February 4, 2021)
DAL NH-21-04: Skilled Nursing Facility Vaccine Post Long Term Care Federal Program
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Holiday Guidance for Nursing Homes and Adult Care Facilities
During the holiday season, facilities must continue to ensure that all visitors adhere to all visitation guidelines and facility policies and strictly adhere to infection prevention and control measures.
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Testing and Visitation Requirements in Red, Orange and Yellow Zones
All nursing homes in red, orange or yellow zones to test or make arrangements to test all personnel twice a week.
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Salon Services in Adult Care Facilities
Adult Care Facilities (ACFs) and Nursing Homes (NH) may resume in-house salon services, provided that the facility is able to adhere to all local, state, and federal requirements as applicable, relative to hair salons and barbershops.
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COVID-19 Cases in Nursing Homes and Adult Care Facilities
This guidance supersedes previous NYSDOH guidance. Nursing Homes (NHs) and Adult Care Facilities (ACFs) statewide are required to take the following actions to reduce the risk of outbreak.
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Visitation in Adult Care Facilities
Adult Care Facilities in Phase 3 regions may resume limited visitation and additional activities under the conditions stated in this advisory.
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Health Advisory: Respiratory Illness in Nursing Homes and Adult Care Facilities in Areas of Sustained Community Transmission of COVID-19
Recent testing of residents and healthcare workers (HCWs) of nursing home and adult care facilities in New York City, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland counties has revealed that symptoms of influenza-like illness are very often determined to be COVID-19 in facilities located in areas with sustained community transmission.
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Adult Care Facility Guidance Letter (March 11, 2020)
Adult Care Facility Guidance Letter (March 11, 2020) (PDF)
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Nursing Home Letter Regarding Employees
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance to address employees of healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, suspected of or confirmed to be positive for the COVID-19 virus (Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 (Interim Guidance)).
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Nursing Home Letter Regarding Residents
This letter is intended to serve as a reminder of your facility(ies)’ obligations under Public Health Law and regulations to ensure that all residents receive the care they need.
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Health Advisory: Universal Use of Eye Protection
NYSDOH strongly recommends universal use of eye protection by healthcare personnel for all patient interactions, in addition to face masks, throughout New York State.
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Pre-K - 12 Schools
Reopening schools across the state is one of the most critical parts of our plan to reopen New York—for our children and their development, and for the wellbeing of entire communities. Above all, we must keep children, teachers, and staff safe.
The New York State Department of Health is making the attached materials available for use within school settings. Thank you for all of your efforts and partnership as you work to reopen schools safely during this unprecedented time.
- When to Wash your Hands Poster
- Wash Away the Germs Poster
- Face Masks and Coverings for COVID-19 Poster
- Custodial Checklist for Schools Poster
- Stop the Spread of Germs Poster
The COVID-19 Report Card will provide parents, teachers, students and all New Yorkers with comprehensive data updated on a daily basis, including:
- Positive infections by date of students & staff by school & school district
- Whether school/district (& student and staff) are remote, in-person, or hybrid
- Number of students and staff on-site
- Percentage of on-site students & staff who test positive
- Number of tests administered by the school, test type, lab used and lag time
- Date of last submission/update
Please see the additional guidance and presentations posted below and the Guidelines for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Guidance, Letters and Update Presentations for Schools
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ADDITIONAL ADDENDUM to Interim Guidance on Mandatory COVID-19 Testing in Public and Non-Public Schools Located in Areas Designated as “Yellow Zones” Under the New York State Cluster Action Initiative (Updated November 14, 2020)
Pursuant to the Interim Guidance on Mandatory COVID-19 Testing in Public and Non-Public Schools Located in Areas Designated as “Yellow Zones” Under the New York State Cluster Action Initiative, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has determined that schools open to in-person instruction in yellow zones are required to test 20% of in-person students, teachers and staff, at least once a week for as long as the school remains in a designated yellow zone.
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Updated Guidance for School Administrators Regarding Limited Temporary Enforcement of Student Immunization Requirement (November 10, 2020)
All public and non-public Pre-K to Grade 12 schools must ensure that all students are up to date with all mandatory school vaccinations, regardless whether they are attending school in-person, via remote learning, or a hybrid model.
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Pre-K to Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit - October 27 Webinar
Pre-K to Grade 12 COVID-19 School Toolkit Webinar (October 27, 2020)
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The NYS COVID-19 School Report Card: An Update for BOCES Schools (October 14, 2020)
A copy of the NYS COVID-19 School Report Card: An Update for BOCES Schools webinar presentation and Q&A.
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Limited Temporary Enforcement of Student Immunization Requirement (October 12, 2020)
The New York State Department of Health will exercise discretion with respect to enforcement of school vaccination requirements.
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Interim Guidance on Mandatory COVID-19 Testing in Public and Non-Public Schools Located in Areas Designated as “Yellow Zones” Under the New York State Cluster Action Initiative (October 9, 2020)
The NYS DOH has determined that schools open to in-person instruction in yellow zones are required to test 20% of in-person students, teachers and staff, at least once a week starting Friday October 16, 2020, for as long as the school remains in a designated yellow zone.
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The NYS COVID-19 School Report Card - September 11 Webinar
An Update for Schools Pre-K through Grade 12 (Private and Charter)
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The NYS COVID-19 School Report Card - September 8 Webinar
An Update for Schools and Districts, Pre-K through Grade 12
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Interim Cleaning for Primary and Secondary Schools (August 12, 2020)
To help prevent spread of COVID-19, schools should continue to educate students, faculty and staff about proper hand and respiratory hygiene.
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Interim Guidance for Graduation Celebrations (June 14, 2020)
This updated guidance provides additional alternative graduation celebration options, including outdoor in-person graduations.
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Interim Advisory for In-Person Special Education Services and Instruction (June 8, 2020)
This interim advisory is provided to inform in-person special education services and instruction while helping to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Pre K-12 Schools (March 9, 2020)
Letter to schools from the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Education Department.
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Update on COVID-19 for New York State Schools (Pre-K – 12)
Presentation of March 3, 2020 update to schools Pre-K - 12.
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Update on COVID-19 for Higher Education Institutions in New York State
Presentation of March 2, 2020 update to higher education institutions. Watch it on YouTube.
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Update on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for Schools
Presentation from February 7, 2020 update to schools. Watch it on YouTube.
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Joint NYSDOH NYSED Letter (February 5, 2020)
Joint letters to school administrators from the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Education Department.
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Colleges
In-Person Classes Canceled
SUNY Albany will cancel in-person classes for the rest of the semester after a positive case was confirmed on March 12, 2020.
Distance Learning
State University of New York and the City University of New York will implement plans to maximize distance learning and reduce in-person classes, beginning March 19, 2020, for the remainder of the Spring semester in light of the evolving novel coronavirus situation in New York.
All campuses will develop plans catered to the campus and curriculum-specific needs while reducing density in the campus environment to help slow possibility for exposures to novel coronavirus. Distance learning and other options will be developed by campuses.
Guidance for Fall Semester
The State will issue guidance to colleges and universities to allow some in person instruction and on-campus housing and for the fall semester. Campuses must develop a plan, which attests to meeting the guidance and file plans with the State.
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Interim Guidance for Graduation Celebrations (June 14, 2020)
This updated guidance provides additional alternative graduation celebration options, including outdoor in-person graduations.
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Child Care Providers
The Office of Children and Family Services is working closely with the New York State Department of Health to provide child care providers with the most up-to-date information regarding the novel coronavirus.
Pregnancy Guidelines
Pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes stressful experience. Being pregnant during a disease outbreak may add extra anxiety and concern for you and those you care about who are pregnant. Health care providers and people who research infections are still learning about the virus that causes COVID-19, including how easily it spreads and affects different at-risk populations.
Currently, the virus is thought to be spread from an infected person to others by respiratory droplets when a person coughs or sneezes and is in close contact with another person. According to the CDC, pregnant people do not appear to be at greater risk of getting COVID-19, but may get sicker when infected with COVID-19. Due to changes that occur during pregnancy, pregnant people may be more susceptible to viral respiratory infections. The most important thing you can do is to protect yourself from getting sick.
This includes following the same guidance that is provided to everyone, including people who are not pregnant:
All people should use prevention strategies to reduce their chances of getting any virus (like influenza or “flu” or “the common cold”).
- Stay home if you are sick. Call your health care provider for advice that can be provided over the phone or using telehealth, before seeking care in the office.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and then discard it in a closed container, or if a tissue is not available, use the inside of your elbow.
- Keep your hands clean by washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with others, especially those who are sick.
- Get the flu shot (at this time, there is no current vaccination for coronaviruses).
- Call your health care provider with any questions about how you feel.
Guidance
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Updated Pregnancy and COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers
Updated November 19, 2020: This guidance provides the most current and updated information for Health Care Providers on how to care for pregnant patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Initial Care of Newborns Born to Pregnant Persons with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
This guidance addresses the care of newborns born to pregnant persons with suspected (COVID-19 pending test results) or confirmed (positive COVID-19 test) COVID-19.
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Protocol for COVID-19 Testing Applicable for Pregnant People and Support Persons
This guidance sets forth the recommendations necessary to implement the two components of this Task Force recommendation: (1) universal COVID-19 testing of all pregnant individuals and (2) universal COVID-19 testing of support persons accompanying pregnant individuals in all birthing settings.
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COVID-19 Maternity Task Force
Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa and the New York State Council on Women and Girls announced the creation of a COVID-19 maternity task force to examine the best approach to authorizing and certifying additional dedicated birthing centers in an effort to provide mothers a safe alternative to already stressed hospitals amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The task force will make recommendations to Governor Cuomo by the end of the week.
Additionally, the task force will work with Regional Perinatal Centers to review literature and make recommendations on the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy.
Pregnancy Frequently Asked Questions
Employees
Requiring Face Coverings for Public and Private Employees
Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order on April 12, 2020 that directs essential businesses to provide, at their expense, face coverings for their employees when in direct contact with customers or members of the public.
Paid Sick Leave
On March 18, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed emergency legislation guaranteeing job protection and pay for New Yorkers who have been quarantined as a result of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
This groundbreaking new measure will help ensure that New Yorkers are able to care for their family without jeopardizing their economic security and builds on the Governor’s unprecedented actions to protect and uplift workers and their families.
Unemployment Insurance Waiting Period Waived
Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order on March 14, 2020 that waives the 7-day waiting period for workers in shared work programs to claim unemployment insurance for those that have been put out of work by COVID-19.
Employers
Governor Cuomo has signed an executive order that New York State is on PAUSE, mandating businesses that rely on in-office personnel to decrease their in-office workforce by 100%. This follows the Governor's directive that all businesses implement work-from-home policies.
Exemptions will be made for essential service industries, including:
- Shipping
- Media
- Warehousing
- Grocery
- Food production
- Pharmacies
- Healthcare providers
- Utilities
- Banks and related financial institutions
- Other industries critical to the supply chain
Read the guidance on essential businesses.
Empire State Development Resources for Businesses
View up-to-date guidance for the agency’s partners and other stakeholders impacted by the virus.
Protocols for Essential Personnel to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure or Infection
Public and private sector organizations that provide essential services or functions where personnel are needed to perform critical functions, including infrastructure, public safety, and other essential operations, may allow personnel who were exposed to or are recovering from COVID-19 to work in the workplace setting, if needed to maintain essential operations.
Requiring Face Coverings for Public and Private Employees
Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order on April 12, 2020 that directs essential businesses to provide, at their expense, face coverings for their employees when in direct contact with customers or members of the public.
Voting
Governor Cuomo signed an executive order temporarily modifying election procedures to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The executive order:
- Suspends the candidate petitioning process — effective 5PM on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 — for the June primaries for Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly and Judicial races.
- Modifies the signature requirements for ballot access; candidates will only need to collect 30 percent of the statutory threshold. For Congress, candidates would need 375 signatures rather than 1,250. For State Senate, candidates would need 300 signatures rather than 1,000. For Assembly, candidates would only need 150 signatures rather than 500.
- Modifies deadlines and procedures to better allow New Yorkers to vote absentee for the Queens Borough President special election on March 24. It extends the current deadline to register to vote absentee to March 23, the day before the special election. Absentee votes must be postmarked or delivered in person up until the day of the election on March 24.
Pools and Spray Grounds
In accordance with a data-driven, phased strategy to safeguard the health and well-being of New Yorkers, NYSDOH provides this interim guidance for the public and private owners and operators of pools and recreational aquatic spray grounds, including but not limited to cities, villages, towns, campgrounds, children’s camps, day cares, hotels, assisted living facilities, schools, colleges, universities, mobile home parks, homeowners’ associations, and apartment complexes.
This guidance does not apply to private homeowner’s pools.
All indoor and outdoor swimming pools and recreational aquatic spray grounds that are permitted to operate for members of the public during the COVID-19 public health emergency must following NYSDOH guidance:
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Interim Guidance for Pools and Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds
This interim guidance applies to all indoor and outdoor swimming pools and recreational aquatic spray grounds that are subject to the operating conditions defined in NYS Sanitary Code.
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Cooling Centers
To help prevent spread of COVID-19 in cooling centers, procedures and supplies should be in place to encourage proper hand and respiratory hygiene, social distancing, as well as routine cleaning and disinfection of high-risk locations.
The following guidance is provided for any local or state public or private facility that operates as a cooling center, so that operators can incorporate these procedures into their facility protocols:
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Interim Guidance for Cooling Centers
This guidance is provided for any local or state public or private facility that operates as a cooling center.
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