ALBANY (WCBS 880) — New York on Wednesday announced new COVID-19 guidelines for child care programs, day camps and overnight camps throughout the state.
According to a press release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, the new rules will go into effect on Wednesday.
The guidance included protocols for COVID-19 testing, physical distancing and sanitation, among other requirements to help prevent the spread of virus cases.
The changes came as the state dropped a number of other COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday and began to allow fully vaccinated New Yorkers to go maskless in most indoor settings.
“We are continuing to make incredible progress against COVID and lifting restrictions based on the science and numbers, but we are not yet at the finished line,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “To help ensure maximum protections for staff and children at child care and camp programs, we are issuing this guidance so the facilities can implement basic but critical measures that will allow them to operate safely.”
Under the updated guidelines, programs must collect all information regarding children and staff’s vaccination status and must implement daily health screening practices for staff and visitors.
If a positive COVID case is identified at a facility, they are required to notify the state and local health department immediately, the press release said.
Additionally, all child care sites must operate at a capacity that allows for children to properly practice social distancing. All staff who are unvaccinated, or not yet fully vaccinated, must also maintain six-feet of space between children and other unvaccinated staff members.
Children over the age of 2, and staff who are not fully vaccinated, must also continue to wear face coverings (except when eating, drinking, showering, swimming or sleeping/resting.)
“Since face coverings have been proven to be effective when distancing is not feasible, facilities and programs must provide and require the use of face coverings for individuals who are not fully vaccinated,” the press release read.
The guidance also calls for all programs and facilities to follow cleaning an disinfecting requirements advised by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health.
Full guidance for facilities and programs is available at NY.gov.
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