December 12th, 2022

Good morning providers,

Please see the below NYC Health Commissioner’s Advisory regarding indoor masking.

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Health Advisory: Indoor Masking

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DoHMH) Commissioner issued a Health Advisory that strongly recommends New York City residents to use high-quality masks when indoors and in crowded outdoor settings as NYC Faces high levels of COVID-19, Influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The Commissioner’s Health Advisory further urges residents to take extra precautions such as vaccination, testing, hand hygiene, and staying home when sick.

Everyone, even if vaccinated and even if they have had COVID-19 or flu before, should wear a mask as follows:

a. Wear a mask at all times when in an indoor public setting, including inside stores, offices, lobbies, hallways, elevators, public transportation, schools, childcare facilities, and other public shared spaces, and when in a crowded outdoor setting.

b. Wear a mask if sick and unable to separate from others, such as when traveling to and from a health care provider, picking up groceries, and when in shared living spaces.

c. For people who have tested positive for COVID-19, per CDC and New York State guidance, in addition to isolating at home for at least 5 days, wear a mask at all times whenever in public or around other people for at least 10 days after their symptoms began (or, if they had no symptoms, for 10 days after their test date).

In addition to wearing a high-quality mask, everyone should take the following precautions:

1. Stay up to date on their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, even if they have been vaccinated against these viruses previously. For COVID-19, all eligible people should get the updated bivalent booster shot, even if they have had COVID-19 or received COVID19 booster shots previously.

1. Get tested for COVID-19 and flu right away if they have symptoms, and, in addition, get tested for COVID-19 before and after travel or large gatherings, before visiting someone at high risk for complications for COVD-19, and 5 days after being exposed to someone with COVID-19 (or sooner if symptoms develop).

1. Stay home if sick (and do not send children to school or day care if they are sick) and avoid close contact with others.

1. Follow good hand hygiene, including washing their hands often or using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available; not touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; and covering their coughs and sneezes with the arm or a tissue.

1. Contact their health care provider if they have symptoms of respiratory illness – including cough, congestion or other signs of a cold – to find out whether they need testing, care, or treatment. In case of emergency, people should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.

To find a nearby COVID-19 and flu vaccination provider, visit NYC Vaccine Finder or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) to schedule an appointment at certain sites, and for other vaccination assistance.

Thank you,

Benjamin Strong

Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response

NYC Aging