Commissioner Declares Influenza no Longer Present

On Thursday June 5th, New York State Acting Commissioner of Health Howard A. Zucker, M.D., J.D., declared influenza is no longer prevalent in New York State. This declaration means that New York State healthcare workers who are not vaccinated against influenza are no longer required by State regulation to wear masks in areas where patients are typically present.

The current regulation became effective on July 31, 2013 and required all healthcare workers not vaccinated against influenza for the current influenza season to wear surgical or procedure masks while in areas where patients and residents may be present. The regulation applied to hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic and treatment centers, certified home health agencies (CHHAs), licensed home care agencies (LHCSAs), long term home health programs, and hospices.  The requirement applies to home care employees of assisted living programs (ALPs) as well.  The mask requirement had been in effect since December 13, 2014 when the Health Commissioner declared that influenza in New York was prevalent.