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The NYS Department of Labor has updated their model airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plans. Please see below, and note the updated model plan may be found in the previous sentence. The new items are: “1. [APPLICABLE FOR MOST WORKPLACES] Employees will wear appropriate face coverings in accordance with guidance from State Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as applicable. 2. [APPLICABLE FOR WORKPLACES where all individuals on premises, including but not limited to employees, are fully vaccinated – defined as having completed a federally authorized or approved vaccination series for an airborne infectious disease designated as a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health (as is currently the case for COVID-19, pursuant to the Commissioner of Health’s designation)] Appropriate face coverings are recommended, but not required, consistent with State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention applicable guidance, as of September 16, 2021.” One may interpret this language to state that workplaces where “all individuals on premises, including but not limited to employees” are fully vaccinated, do not have to wear face coverings, but still recommended to do so. This would be consistent with State Department of Health and CDC guidance. Please keep in mind that workplaces where not every individual is vaccinated, employers are still subject to the original policy requiring employees wear masks. In addition, the NYSDOL removed the words “use a face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained” under the “Physical Distancing” section of the amended model plan. It also removed the wording, “avoid unnecessary gatherings and maintain a distance of at least six feet.” The amended model plan now states: “Physical distancing will be used, to the extent feasible, as advised by guidance from State Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control, as applicable.” Please keep in mind no changes have been made by the NYS DOL to the Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Standard or the guidance.