COVID-19 Indoor Masking & Proof of Vaccination

Changes to statewide mask requirement and local mask advisory

The statewide indoor business mask-or-vaccine requirement that was implemented December 10, 2021, will be lifted starting Thursday, February, 10, 2022. It will remain optional for businesses, local governments and counties to enforce.

The local mask advisory remains in effect. Tompkins County continues to be in a high transmission area as defined by the CDC. TCHD continues to urge mask wearing for all individuals while indoors and around others, as well as other precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19. TCHD is also advising local businesses to continue to ask that patrons wear a mask while indoors and around others. For more information please refer to this February 9 press release.

En esta página

• Mask requirement overview
• Vaccination requirement overview 
• Entrance signs
• Documentation for Quarantine and Isolation, and positive self-test
• File a complaint related to the indoor mask/ vaccination requirement
• For businesses: Ask a question related to the indoor mask/ vaccination requirement

NYS Mask/ Vaccination Requirement

Masks are required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement, per the NYS Health Commissioner’s Determination on Indoor Masking, released 12/10/21. This determination supersedes previous NYS requirements and is in effect from December 13,2021 to February 1, 2022 (end date was extended).

• Indoor public place is defined as any indoor space that is not a private residence. 
• Fully vaccinated is defined as 14 days past an individual's last vaccination dose in their initial vaccine series (e.g., 14 days past the second shot of a two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine; 14 days past the one-shot Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine).
  • WHO-approved vaccines also accepted for these purposes.

Mask Requirement

• A mask requirement must ensure everyone over age 2 years old and medically able to tolerate a face covering is wearing a mask at all times while indoors.
• The requirement applies to all non-private residences, unless proof of vaccination is required as a condition of entry.
• Included are indoor entertainment venues, concert halls, indoor sports stadiums, recreational spaces, restaurants, office buildings, shopping centers, grocery stores, pharmacies, houses of worship and common areas in residential buildings.
• For food service establishments, unless proof of full vaccination is required for everyone who enters, all employees and patrons must have their mask on at all times regardless of vaccination status, except when eating or drinking.
• For private events held indoors at a business or venue, e.g., a wedding taking place at a privately-owned restaurant or venue, the business entity/venue must require masking or proof of vaccination as a condition of entry.
• Information about masks.

Proof of Vaccination Requirement

• A proof of vaccination requirement must ensure that people have documentation of their vaccination status before entering indoors.
• Age 12 years and older must show proof of being fully vaccinated.
• Children ages 5–11 only must show proof of having had at least one dose.
• Acceptable documentation includes Excelsior Pass or Excelsior Pass Plus, SMART Health Cards issued outside of New York State, full-course vaccination through NYC COVID Safe app, a CDC Vaccination Card, or other official immunization record. Required for anyone age 12 years and older.
• Parents and guardians can retrieve and store an Excelsior Pass and/or Excelsior Pass Plus for children or minors under legal guardianship.
• Vaccine/ vaccination FAQ.

Combining requirements is not allowed

• A business or venue must choose either a vaccine requirement or a mask requirement that must be followed throughout the facility by everyone, every day. It may not allow vaccinated individuals to be unmasked, while requiring masks for unvaccinated individuals.

Effective now

• The Determination is in effect from Dec. 13, 2021 to Jan. 15, 2022. Businesses, venues, and other workplaces are urged to familiarize themselves with this directive and implement a mask or vaccination requirement immediately
• Businesses may ask questions directly to the Environmental Health Division (EH) using this form.
• Complaints may be submitted to EH by the public using this form.

Entrance Signs

• From TCHD
  •   
    Click to download PDF: Everyone must wear a mask | Everyone must be fully vaccinated. 
• From NYS
  • All People Must Be Masked to Enter
  • All People Must Be Fully Vaccinated to Enter

Additional information and resources

• FAQ for NYS Mask/ Vaccination requirement (NYSDOH website)
• Commissioner's Determination on Indoor Masking (text of the Determination)
• Masks and face coverings info 
• Vaccination FAQ 

Documentación de órdenes de aislamiento y cuarentena para terceros, incluido el trabajo o la escuela

Las investigaciones de casos han cesado para la mayoría de los casos positivos de 18 a 64 años de edad, y los individuos no reciben una llamada telefónica y una orden de aislamiento de un investigador de casos. En cambio, el seguimiento de una prueba PCR positiva certificada por el laboratorio se realiza por correo electrónico o por mensaje de texto SMS. Los documentos mencionados a continuación son una prueba válida para presentar a su empleador o escuela de que a usted o a su dependiente se les ha ordenado mantener aislamiento (usted dio positivo) o cuarentena (usted es un contacto estrecho de alguien que dio positivo).

• Informar resultados positivos de las pruebas de autodiagnóstico al condado de Tompkins
  • Complete y envíe este formulario para informar un resultado positivo de una prueba de autodiagnóstico al Departamento de Salud del Condado de Tompkins. 
  • Una vez enviado el formulario, recibirá un mensaje automatizado por correo electrónico con orientación adicional y documentación para certificar que ha enviado un resultado positivo de una prueba de autodiagnóstico al Departamento de Salud del Condado de Tompkins. La fecha de finalización del aislamiento es cinco días después de la realización de la prueba o desde el inicio de los síntomas, lo que haya ocurrido primero. No recibirá más seguimiento por parte del TCHD.
  • Si desarrolla síntomas o estos empeoran, póngase en contacto con su médico y busque atención adicional.
• Documentación del NYSDOH luego de una prueba positiva certificada por laboratorio o por contacto estrecho
  • Formulario de autoafirmación de aislamiento del NYSDOH
  • Formulario de autoafirmación de cuarentena del NYSDOH
  • Si desarrolla síntomas o estos empeoran, póngase en contacto con su médico y busque atención adicional.

File a complaint related to indoor masking or proof of vaccination (Tompkins County only)  

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