New York Puts Out New COVID Guidance: Shorter Isolation Time for Service Department Employees
/Given the very high case counts during the current COVID-19 surge in New York, the Department of Health (DOH) expects to see a large number of mild or asymptomatic cases in fully vaccinated people.
According to the new State guidance, imposing a full 10 days of isolation in these circumstances has the potential to substantially impact critical services - including automotive repair, an area already experiencing severe staffing shortages.
Therefore, The DOH has shortened the isolation period for fully vaccinated Critical Workers that test positive for COVID-19, from 10 days to 5 days.
Critical Workers are employees that work in your service department. Therefore, dealers may allow them to return to work five days after symptom onset or date of first positive test as long as they are fully vaccinated and meet all the following criteria:
has no fever for at least 72 hours without medication;
symptoms are improving;
does not have a runny nose;
has no more than minimal, non-productive cough;
is able to consistently wear a well-fitting mask while at work.
NOTE: Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its isolation and quarantine recommendations, their recommendations do not supersede New York State or local laws, rules, and regulations.
As a result, dealers must continue to apply the 10-day quarantine period for all other employees not directly involved in the service department who test positive for COVID-19 until New York State issues a statement announcing it has adopted the latest CDC Guidance.
If there are further guidance issue by New York State that changes the isolation period or any other aspect we will notify you immediately.
To view the most recent NYS Guidance, click here.
If you have any questions about the updated isolation period for fully vaccinated critical workers or any other issues, call GNYADA's Dealer Hotline at 718.746.5900.
December 29, 2021
