Guidance on Executive Order 202.16 Requiring Face Coverings for Public
and Private Employees Interacting with the Public During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Executive Order 202.16, issued on April 12, 2020, provides the following directive:
For all essential businesses or entities, any employees who are present in the workplace shall be provided and shall wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings for their employees. This provision may be enforced by local governments or local law enforcement as if it were an order pursuant to section 12 or 12-b of the Public Health Law. This requirement shall be effective Wednesday, April 15 at 8 p.m.
Guidance:
Essential businesses, as well as state and local government agencies and authorities, must procure, fashion, or otherwise obtain face coverings and provide such coverings to employees who directly interact with the public during the course of their work at no-cost to the employee. Face coverings include, but are not limited to, cloth (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, N-95 respirators, and face shields.
Read full NYS DOH guidance document (PDF).
Essential employees on campus already have access to masks. In the event any additional employee has a need to be on campus, they should work with their supervisor to obtain a mask. For additional information about face masks -- how to wear and care for them -- see helpful links from the CDC and NYS Department of Health that are provided below.