New Masking Policy FAQ
Q: Wearing a mask is now optional in areas where patient encounters are not expected to occur. What specifically are those areas? A: These areas include break rooms, elevators, staff conference rooms, lobbies, and all administrative offices. There are three exceptions to this. + Anyone who has suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or other respiratory infection must continue to mask + Anyone who has had close contact or a high-risk exposure to someone with COVID-19 in the past 10 days must continue to mask. + Anyone who has not received their 2022-2023 annual flu vaccine more than 2 weeks ago as flu remains widespread in New York State must continue to mask. These individuals must be wearing a fitted mask covering both nose and mouth at all times. Q : What about hospital lobbies and hallways: aren’t there always patients in those places? A: We define patient encounters as any direct face- to-face interaction or being present in the same enclosed room between a patient and either health care personnel, vendor, or visitor for the purpose of providing health care-related services, assessing the health status of a patient, or engaging in a social visit. While transient contact with patients may occur in lobbies and hallways, these are not considered to be patient encounters which may pose a higher risk for transmission of infection due to prolonged close contact. Q: What are the places where masking is still mandatory? A: Masking is still mandatory in all areas where patient encounters may occur. These include clinical areas such as emergency departments, hospital inpatient
care units, post-acute facility patient care units, outpatient clinics and patient waiting rooms, vaccine administration booths, and spaces where patients are being assessed for medical triage. Staff who are providing face-to-face health care-related services to patients must wear a mask during those encounters. This is meant to protect our medically vulnerable patients from being exposed to respiratory infections while accessing care at our facilities. Q: Are patients, visitors, and vendors still required to wear masks in common spaces? A: The same rules described above apply to all visitors, vendors, and to patients. Q: Is masking now optional in non-clinical settings, such as Central Office locations and MetroPlus buildings? A: Yes, masking is now optional. Similar to the exceptions for clinical care settings, masking is still mandatory for: + Anyone who has suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or other respiratory infection. + Anyone who has had close contact or a high-risk exposure to someone with COVID-19 in the past 10 days. + Anyone who has not received their 2022-2023 annual flu vaccine more than 2 weeks ago as flu remains widespread in New York State. These individuals must be wearing a fitted mask covering both nose and mouth at all times. Q: What if I still want to wear a mask, even though it is now optional? A: Anyone is welcome to continue wearing a mask if that is their preference. Please be respectful of people who decide to continue wearing a mask.
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