State updates mask guidance for health care settings

ALBANY-The New York State Department of Health issued a COVID-19 advisory for the use of masks and face coverings in healthcare facilities, aligning the state's guidance with the latest federal recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The department continues to affirm the importance of masking as a vital and effective infection prevention strategy. The new guidance, which goes into effect on Feb. 12, advises all operators to develop and implement a masking plan for staff and visitors at their facilities, which includes COVID-19 and uses CDC's guidance, based on transmission levels, as a minimum threshold.
"March 1st represents three years since the first COVID-19 case was identified in New York," Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Healthcare workers statewide have performed consistently and heroically throughout this pandemic, and have used masking and other personal protective equipment to protect themselves and their patients. The pandemic is not over, yet we are moving to a transition. As we do, and with safe and effective vaccines, treatments, and more, we are able to lift the state's masking requirement in healthcare settings as operators now develop and implement their own facility-specific plans, in accordance with federal CDC guidance and the level of transmission in their areas."
The advisory was issued to all facilities and entities regulated by the department. This includes hospitals, nursing homes, home health care and hospice agencies, and diagnostic and treatment centers.
These facilities are expected to follow previously established and required policies for the control of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, that at a minimum adhere to CDC's guidance and transmission levels system. At any given time, the department expects facilities' plans to include the policies and procedures necessary to implement a masking requirement when COVID-19 transmission levels are high enough to trigger that recommendation by CDC. Department-regulated facilities may also set requirements that go beyond CDC's guidance, based on their unique circumstances.
This advisory does not affect any facility requirements unrelated to COVID-19, including those in place for Influenza.