Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday expanded the state’s COVID Vaccine mandate to healthcare workers at the Office of Mental Health and of People With Developmental Disabilities. Staff who work with and treat those patients must now get the first shot of the COVID vaccine series by November 3. Ahead of that requirement, staff will be required to submit to weekly testing if unvaccinated, beginning October 12.
“Vaccine requirements work in getting people to do the right thing, and all professionals in health settings must take every basic precaution against COVID-19, including the vaccine, so they do not spread the virus to the people coming in for treatment,” Governor Hochul said. “We have an obligation to extend this assurance to those who need to receive mental health services and special care, which is why we are making the vaccine mandatory for all staff who work in these facilities that fall under State jurisdiction.”
The mandate currently applies only to workers at hospitals and nursing homes.