Situation Report | October 11, 2021
On September 30, Governor Hochul officially extended the designation of COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health in New York State.
The state Commissioner of Health originally issued the designation on September 6, 2021, prompting covered employers in New York State to activate their NY HERO Act airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plans. The initial designation was effective through September 30, 2021, at which time the state Health Commissioner would review and consider whether the circumstances surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic warranted extension of the designation at that time. Accordingly, employers should continue to have their NY HERO Act plans in place.
HCA reminds members that there is a November 1 deadline for the HERO Act requirement that employees must permit workers to establish and administer a joint labor-management workplace safety committee.
More information on the HERO Act is available on the state Department of Labor website.