OMH: Emergency Mask Requirements for inpatient,
outpatient and congregate residential programs

February 15, 2022

As you know, we asked both O agencies last week whether their interpretation of Governor Hoochul’s updates to mask requirements included BH services, and if so, how?

Below is a response from SOMH for all providers.  I’m still waiting on a response from OASAS.

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As you may know, Governor Hochul recently eased some of the universal mask requirements initiated in September to protect the people of New York State COVID-19 and its variants.  However, the requirements remain in effect for all healthcare providers that operate inpatient, outpatient or congregate residential programs that are licensed, certified, or funded by the Office of Mental Health as well as hospitals, facilities, corrections-based programs, and residential programs operated by OMH.  As such, the Office has extended its emergency masking rule for another 60 day period.

More information is available on the OMH website.