“We’re considering stopping Delta in its tracks, particularly within the locations the place probably the most susceptible are in danger,” Mr. Azzopardi mentioned.
Kathy Hochul, the state’s lieutenant governor who will succeed Mr. Cuomo on Aug. 24, was made conscious of the brand new coverage, her workplace confirmed, although it’s unclear whether or not she performed a task within the choice. Ms. Hochul has mentioned repeatedly that coping with the pandemic and elevating vaccination charges are her high priorities.
Many points had but to be sorted out concerning the mandate.
Stephen Hanse, the president of the New York State Well being Services Affiliation, which represents 450 nursing houses statewide, mentioned it was not clear to him if the vaccination requirement would apply to residence well being care staff, hospice staff, dialysis middle staff and different ambulatory care staff. He warned that if it didn’t, nursing residence staff who resisted vaccination may give up and go to jobs with out that requirement.
“For a vaccine mandate to be efficient, it wants to incorporate all well being care suppliers throughout the continuum, in order to not exacerbate the long-term-care work pressure disaster that New York State is presently struggling,” Mr. Hanse mentioned.
The governor’s workplace gave no particulars about what penalties staff face in the event that they don’t get vaccinated.
“We’re working to finalize the small print, and extra data will likely be forthcoming,” mentioned Jill Montag, director of communications for the state Well being Division.
In New York Metropolis, the mayor’s workplace appeared desirous to be coping with the following governor.
“New York Metropolis wholeheartedly helps vaccine necessities for well being care staff,” mentioned Invoice Neidhardt, Mayor Invoice de Blasio’s press secretary. “We look ahead to working with incoming Governor Hochul on this and different Covid vaccination methods.”
