Two important dates for New York State employees have changed, according to officials. The date that employees working from home must return to the office was extended to October 12. The date that those state workers needed to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was also extended to October 12.
The update was part of a memo, which was sent to state workers on September 3.
Face masks will be required by state workers, except when they are alone or in a room without other people. They will also not have to wear a mask if they are at their desk or work station alone, according to the memo.
“Your priorities are my priorities, and right now, that means fighting the delta variant,” Governor Kathy Hochul said after taking office. “None of us want a rerun of last year’s horrors with COVID-19, therefore we will take proactive steps to prevent that from happening. We are updating guidance for state agencies to provide employees and the public with the information and resources to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and ensure government workplaces have flexibility as our workers safely return to in-person work.”
The date for workers to go back to in-person setting, as well as the vaccination requirement was set by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned after pressure amid growing allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace.
It’s unclear if another extension will be possible, but many cheered that extension as it meant longer before COVID-19 vaccinations would be required.
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